Successful treatment of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome with pentoxifylline

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma without Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon

“…Tumors in the viscera, retroperitoneum, neck, and mediastinum are associated with a particularly high mortality. 2,4,17 Pharmacologic therapy is always indicated whenever the diagnosis is KHE with KMP and includes CSs, 18,19 interferon alfa, 20 epsilon-aminocaproic acid, 21 cyclophosphamide, 6,22 prednisone and epsilon-aminocaproic acid, 23 pentoxifylline, 24 VCR, 25 and heparin. 26 No single regimen has given consistently reproducible results with regard to the decrease in the size of the tumor and correction of thrombocytopenia.…”

Giant cavernous haemangioma with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome: a case report and review

“…Alternative approaches with anticoagulants such as heparin, pentoxifylline [4] or administration of antithrombin III given to patients with KMS appeared to be beneficial but to date long-term outcome in infants is unknown.…”

Kasabach–Merritt Syndrome

“…Pentoxyphylline has been used successfully to treat KMS in two reported cases. 7,25 It has been shown to have signi®cant antithrombotic properties, inhibit platelet aggregation, and stimulate prostacyclin expression. 25 The exact mechanism of its success in normalizing the coagulopathy is not fully understood.…”

“…7,25 It has been shown to have signi®cant antithrombotic properties, inhibit platelet aggregation, and stimulate prostacyclin expression. 25 The exact mechanism of its success in normalizing the coagulopathy is not fully understood. Vincristine is being used with increasing frequency in KMS and may reduce the size of the vascular lesion.…”