| INTRODUC TI ONHaemophilia-associated pseudotumours (HPT) were first described by Starker in 1918 and are a continuing cause of severe morbidity and mortality for patients with congenital haemophilia. 1 The prevalence of HPT has been described between 1% and 2% of patients with haemophilia with similar levels persisting despite the use of recombinant factor replacement over the last decades. 2,3 The clinical course of HPT can be heterogenous due to a variety of factors including age of onset, disease severity, presence of an inhibitor and inadequate factor replacement. 4 They can result in a variety of problems including bleeding, organ compression and loss of function, bone destruction and fistula formation.HPT typically develops at a site of injury such as a bone fracture, or from spontaneous bleeding in subperiosteal and soft tissues. A preceding traumatic event has been described in 57%-75% of patients with HPT. 3,5 Subsequent bleeding, inadequate blood reabsorption and capsular formation around the haematoma lead to progressive enlargement of the HPT. This can ultimately lead to the eventual mass effect on local structures or bone and skin
AbstractThe management of haemophilia-associated pseudotumours presents an ongoing challenge to the haematologist, surgeon and interventional radiologist alike. There is a range of therapeutic approaches including factor replacement, embolization, radiotherapy and a variety of surgical interventions. However, there remains little evidence regarding the most appropriate treatment. We aimed to evaluate the available options of management for the haemophilia-associated pseudotumour. A literature review was performed using relevant terminology and reviewed for treatment approaches and outcomes. The results demonstrated that most of the data is from single case reports with a small number of single-and multicentre case series. In total, 133 patients with 134 described pseudotumours were identified. Adequate haemostatic control with factor replacement was a key component to successful treatment. Surgical excision was the most commonly reported surgical intervention with various composites used for filling of the surgical cavity. The use of radiotherapy has been described particularly in the paediatric population and sites of difficult surgical access. Embolization can be considered as a method of presurgical optimization.Patients with both factor inhibitors and pseudotumours have poorer postoperative outcomes. This review demonstrates that although a lack of large-centre, randomized studies, timely surgical intervention with adequate haemostatic support and the consideration adjuvant therapies in selected cases can achieve acceptable outcomes in this cohort of patients.
K E Y W O R D Scomplication, haemophilia A, haemophilia B, pseudotumour, surgery
S U PP O RTI N G I N FO R M ATI O NAdditional supporting information may be found online in the Supporting Information section.
