Propranolol in the preoperative treatment of Kasabach–Merritt syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND: Kasabach–Merritt syndrome represents the association of hemangioma with thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulopathy. We present a case of Kasabach–Merritt syndrome treatment with orally administered propranolol. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4.5-month-old caucasian female infant with congenital giant hemangioma in the posterior region of her neck presented to our Institute for Childhood Diseases where she underwent clinical, laboratory, and radiological investigations. A low blood platelet count indicated the use of corticosteroids and blood components as first-line therapy. The lack of therapeutic response induced the introduction of orally administered propranolol as additive therapy. A 3-week treatment led to a reduction in the size of hemangioma and a rise in platelet count which enabled surgical treatment and definite healing. CONCLUSION: Orally administered propranolol as monotherapy or in combination with other therapeutic modalities may play a key role in the treatment of Kasabach–Merritt syndrome.