Cost and effectiveness comparison of sirolimus versus standard treatment in Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon: a real-world evidence study in Thailand.

The conventional treatment of Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon (KMP) consists of corticosteroids with vincristine/vinblastine or others. The aim of the study is to compare the first-year direct costs and effectiveness between sirolimus and conventional treatment. A retrospective case-control study of KMP patients was conducted at a mean age of 9 months (1 day to 12 years) between 2000 and 2022 from four tertiary centers in Thailand. The direct costs, hematologic and clinical complete response (HCR, CCR), hospitalization, length of stay, and complications were compared. Of 29 patients, 13 underwent sirolimus (four upfront and nine were refractory to the conventional). The first-year total cost had no statistically significant difference between sirolimus VS conventional treatment (8,852.63 VS 9,083.56 USD: p value: 0.94). The therapeutics achievement was the same in both HCR (244.75 VS 168.94 days; p value: 0.60) and CCR (419.77 VS 399.87 days; p value: 0.90). The subgroup analysis of the first-line sirolimus (n = 4) compared with the conventional (n = 25) showed a more reduced total cost (4,907.84 VS 9,664.05 USD; p value: 0.26) rendered net total cost of -4,756.21 USD per patient (cost saving). A more significant contrast of therapeutic achievement by reduction of both HCR (11.67 VS 224.20 days; p value: 0.36) and CCR (38.50 VS 470.88 days; p value: 0.04) was shown. The sirolimus had no difference in hospitalization, length of stay, and complications. Even though, it was unable to identify significant differences in cost-effectiveness. Sirolimus is suitable for all patients who have diagnosis of KMP either for rescue therapy or first-line treatment.

Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome: a case study of successful treatment with vincristine and propranolol.

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is a rare condition, characterised by the presence of an enlarging vascular tumour associated with thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and consumptive coagulopathy. The syndrome manifests in infancy, with high morbidity and mortality rates. No standard guidelines have been established for the treatment of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome to date. To existing literature we add this report of a four-month-old female child with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome who was successfully treated with propranolol and vincristine. This drug combination helped reverse the severe thrombocytopenia as well as decrease in size of her haemangioma. Management of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome continues to be a challenge, with varying response to first line drugs. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment in a closely monitored setting is essential to ensure good outcomes. Since this is a relatively rare condition and large studies are not feasible, documenting treatment experience for single cases or small series becomes even more important.

Late third trimester diagnosis of congenital giant hemangioma complicated by the Kasabach-Merritt phenomen: a case report and literature review.

Objective. To describe the case of a large cervical mass diagnosed in the late third trimester with development of Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP) in the immediate postnatal period, along with a literature review.Methods. Description of case-report and literature search through Medline/Pubmed, performed from inception to December 2022 for articles relating to the pre and postnatal diagnosis of KMP.Results. A 36-year-old multiparous woman was admitted to hospital for contractions at 40 weeks of gestation, in an otherwise uneventful pregnancy. Admission's ultrasound showed the presence of a voluminous mass of 14x15 cm of the posterior side of the neck, highly vascularized, and no signs of hemodynamic imbalance. Postnatally, blood tests showed the presence of severe anemia and thrombocytopenia requiring several transfusions of blood, plasma, platelets and clotting factors. Due to the association of congenital hemangioma and thrombocytopenia a diagnosis of KMP was made. After attempts of conservative treatment, surgical removal was needed to stop the hematological cascade with regression of symptoms. The review of the literature identified 14 articles including 9 cases of prenatally suspected KMP and 6 diagnosed in the immediate postnatal period and without signs of fetal hydrops. Adverse perinatal outcome, in terms of postnatal death/termination of pregnancy, was observed in 67% of cases (6/9) in the prenatally suspected group and 33% of cases in those with a postnatal diagnosis of KMP. Fetal hydrops was present in 83% of cases with adverse perinatal outcome.Conclusions. The Kasabach-Merrit syndrome is a rare condition, which can have a dangerous evolution when it develops in utero or in the immediate postnatal period carrying a risk of perinatal mortality of approximately 50%. Even if the fetus shows no signs of anemia or heart failure, the risk of developing it in the immediate postnatal period is high and should be mentioned to the couple.

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma presented with raynaud phenomenon: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular neoplasm affecting infants or young children. KHE includes a spectrum of lesions, ranging from small and superficial tumors to large and invasive lesions with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP). Currently, no published studies have reported a KHE presenting as thrombocytopenia and Raynaud phenomenon. CASE PRESENTATION: A 2-year-old boy with right hand swelling and thrombocytopenia was admitted to our hospital. His right hand turned swelling and red, even occasionally cyanotic. This condition became worse in response to cool environments and improved with warming, and platelet counts were between 50 ~ 80 × 10^9/L. Physical examination on admission revealed the swelling and frostbite-like rash of the right-hand fingers, and the skin temperature of the right hand was lower than the left. On day 3 of admission, chest CT results showed an irregular mass on the right side of the spine. The puncture biopsy demonstrated positive CD31, D2-40, and FLI1 immunohistochemical staining, but negative GLUT1 staining, confirming the diagnosis of KHE. Furthermore, endothelin-1 (ET1) expression levels significantly increased, and eNOS and A20 expression levels significantly decreased comparing with control patients. The patient received methylprednisolone and sirolimus treatments, and his condition gradually improved during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the first case of KHE presenting with thrombocytopenia and Raynaud phenomenon. The development of Raynaud phenomenon could be associated with increased ET-1 and reduced eNOS and A20 expressions. Careful differential diagnosis of hidden KHE should be considered in children with thrombocytopenia and Raynaud phenomenon.

Recurrent metastatic angiosarcoma presenting as Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.

Angiosarcoma is an incredibly rare type of malignancy, accounting for only 1%-2% of all soft-tissue sarcomas globally. It is clinically, pathologically and radiologically difficult to diagnose angiosarcoma owing to its varied presentation with little or no well-defined imaging findings.Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is also a lesser-heard entity which carries extremely poor prognosis. It is primarily seen in infants with vascular malformations and in kaposiform haemangioendothelioma. It is a condition of consumptive coagulopathy and only few of the cases have been reported so far in the adults with a background of angiosarcoma.This report presents the case of a male in his 70s who was diagnosed with metastatic angiosarcoma and experienced a complicated disease course due to Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.

Platelet functional abnormalities in pediatric patients with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma/Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon.

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular tumor of infancy that is commonly associated with a life-threatening thrombocytopenic condition, Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP). Platelet CLEC-2, tumor podoplanin interaction is considered the key mechanism of platelet clearance in these patients. Here, we aimed to assess platelet functionality in such patients. Three groups of 6 to 9 children were enrolled: group A with KHE/KMP without hematologic response (HR) to therapy; group B with KHE/KMP with HR; and group C with healthy children. Platelet functionality was assessed by continuous and end point flow cytometry, low-angle light scattering analysis (LaSca), fluorescent microscopy of blood smears, and ex vivo thrombi formation. Platelet integrin activation in response to a combination of CRP (GPVI agonist) and TRAP-6 (PAR1 agonist), as well as calcium mobilization and integrin activation in response to CRP or rhodocytin (CLEC-2 agonist) alone, were significantly diminished in groups A and B. At the same time, platelet responses to ADP with or without TRAP-6 were unaltered. Thrombi formation from collagen in parallel plate flow chambers was also noticeably decreased in groups A and B. In silico analysis of these results predicted diminished amounts of CLEC-2 on the platelet surface of patients, which was further confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. In addition, we also noted a decrease in GPVI levels on platelets from group A. In KHE/KMP, platelet responses induced by CLEC-2 or GPVI activation are impaired because of the diminished number of receptors on the platelet surface. This impairment correlates with the severity of the disease and resolves as the patient recovers.

Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma of the spine associated with fixed hyperlordotic deformity and Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome: a case report and literature review.

Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare childhood disease classified by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) as a locally aggressive vascular tumor. It has been reported to affect any site, with a predilection for the extremities and trunk. Although it typically manifests as an enlarging cutaneous or soft tissue lesion, less than 10% of cases have no skin involvement, with the retroperitoneum being the most frequently involved extracutaneous site. Approximately twenty cases of KHE with bony involvement have been reported in the literature to date, with only five of those cases involving the spine specifically.We present a, rare case of KHE who presented with progressive fixed hyperlordotic deformity, multiple non-specific spinal lesions, and abnormal blood tests, posing a clinical and radiological diagnostic challenge. Additionally, we conducted a thorough review of the literature to compare and contrast the various multimodality imaging manifestations of KHE involving the spine.

Composite hemangioendothelioma in the cervical spine with kaposiform hemangioendothelioma features in an elderly patient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Composite hemangioendothelioma (CHE) is an intermediate group of tumors with features between hemangioma and angiosarcoma both histologically and biologically. CHE is predominant in young and middle-aged adults, but very infrequently affects the spine. We describe the case of primary CHE in the cervical spine exhibiting kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE)-like components that was associated with cervical myelopathy with vertebral body destruction in an elderly woman. We retrospectively reviewed the case of a primary cervical spinal tumor, diagnosed as CHE with KHE-like components in pathological findings, associated with cervical myelopathy and cervical vertebral body destruction. CASE PRESENTATION: An 80-year-old woman presented with progressive cervical myelopathy caused by a cervical spine tumor. Preoperative cervical MRI revealed a neoplastic lesion invading the cervical spine that strongly compressed the spinal cord, causing right upper-limb paralysis. We performed partial tumor resection along with posterior decompression and fixation. Postoperatively, pathological findings showed that the tumor was CHE with KHE-like features. Following radiotherapy, no recurrences have been observed in 21 months. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of CHE with features of KHE in the spine of an elderly patient. Posterior decompression and fusion of the cervical spine and subsequent radiotherapy resulted in a good outcome.

Multifocal Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma in a Newborn With Confirmatory Histopathology.

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma is classified as a locally aggressive vascular tumor of childhood resulting from abnormal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Most commonly, KHE presents as a single tissue mass, ranging from an erythematous papule to a violaceous indurated tumor. Definitive diagnosis requires tissue sampling with the demonstration of ill-defined nodules and fascicles of spindle-shaped D2-40 positive endothelial cells, forming slit-like vascular channels. This newborn presented with multifocal cutaneous Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma associated with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon confirmed on histopathology with immunostaining.

Liver Transplantation for Giant Hemangioma Complicated by Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND Liver hemangiomas are the most common benign liver tumor. Giant hepatic hemangiomas are hemangiomas that are greater than 4 cm in diameter. While asymptomatic giant hepatic hemangioma patients can be monitored without intervention, patients that experience complications can be managed by trans-arterial embolization, radiofrequency ablation, surgical resection, or enucleation. Although there is no consensus on definite medical treatment or optimal timing of surgery, liver transplantation is rarely indicated. Among giant hepatic hemangioma patients who received liver transplantation, Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (KMS), a consumptive coagulopathy associated with hemangiomas, is one of the most common indications. We present a case of giant hepatic hemangioma complicated by Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, which was successfully treated by orthotopic liver transplantation. CASE REPORT The patient was a 39-year-old woman with a known history of multiple giant hepatic hemangiomas who presented with abdominal pain and distension. She had life-threatening intra-abdominal hemorrhages caused by benign endometriomas due to hepatic hemangiomas complicated by Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. Despite interventional radiology embolization of a bleeding uterine artery and aggressive resuscitation with fluid and blood products, the patient's status continued to decline. Emergent orthotopic liver transplantation was applied with subsequent resolution of the consumptive coagulopathy. She remained well at 2-month follow-up, with normal liver enzyme levels and intact liver allograft function. CONCLUSIONS Liver transplantation is indicated for selected patients with giant hepatic hemangioma complicated by KMS; despite the high surgical risk, outcomes seem favorable.

Fetal neck giant hemangioma associated with postnatal arising Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.

We report a prenatal ultrasound dia-gnosis of giant neck hemangioma at 30+1 weeks in a fetus resulting in the postnatal development of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. Ultrasound scan revealed a large isoechoic mass occupying the whole neck, infiltrating the nasopharyngeal cavity, tongue, lower lip and mandible. Complex sonographic visualization with 2D and 4D was helpful in the process of parental counseling.

Sirolimus plus prednisolone vs sirolimus monotherapy for kaposiform hemangioendothelioma: a randomized clinical trial.

The Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP) in kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is characterized by life-threatening thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulopathy. This study compared the efficacy and safety of sirolimus plus prednisolone vs sirolimus monotherapy as treatment strategies for KHE with KMP in the largest cohort to date. Participants were randomized to receive either sirolimus in combination with a short course of prednisolone or sirolimus monotherapy for at least 12 months. The primary outcome was defined as achievement of a durable platelet response (platelet count >100 × 109/L) at week 4. Participants completed efficacy assessments 2 years after the initial treatment. At week 4, a durable platelet response was achieved by 35 of 37 patients given sirolimus and prednisolone compared with 24 of 36 patients given sirolimus monotherapy (difference 27.9%; 95% confidence interval, 10.0-44.7). Compared with the sirolimus monotherapy group, the combination treatment group showed improvements in terms of measures of durable platelet responses at all points during the initial 3-week treatment period, median platelet counts during weeks 1 to 4, increased numbers of patients achieving fibrinogen stabilization at week 4, and objective lesion responses at month 12. Patients receiving combination therapy had fewer blood transfusions and a lower total incidence of disease sequelae than patients receiving sirolimus alone. The frequencies of total adverse events and grade 3-4 adverse events during treatment were similar in both groups. The responses seen in patients with KHE with KMP were profound and encouraging, suggesting that sirolimus plus prednisolone should be considered a valid treatment of KHE with KMP. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03188068.

Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma with Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon.

A 3-y-3-mo old male child presented with massive hypertrophy and bluish-purple discoloration of the left upper limb and adjacent chest wall of 3 mo duration. There was no h/o fever, weight loss, painful large joint swelling, or any bleeding manifestations. He had spindle like nonprogressive, painless swelling of all fingers of the left hand since infancy. The child was moribund with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and consumptive coagulopathy without sepsis. He received multiple transfusions of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), platelets, and packed RBC. Paradoxical worsening of symptoms with platelet transfusions and radiological evidences led to the diagnosis of a very rare congenital multifocal vascular tumor, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP). The index case of KHE was multifocal with cutaneous lesions, osteolytic bony lesions of all phalanx and metacarpals of the left hand, and intrathoracic extension. It was successfully managed with a combination of steroid, vincristine and sirolimus.

[Propranolol treatment in Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome secondary to congenital hepatic hemangioma. Clinical case]. / Tratamiento con propranolol en el síndrome de Kasabach-Merritt secundario a hemangioma hepático congénito. Caso clínico.

Hepatic hemangioma is the most common benign liver tumor. It can be congenital or infantile with different outcomes and complications. The clinical manifestation varies from asymptomatic to severe conditions with heart failure, Kasabach- Merritt syndrome or compartment syndrome. Diagnosis depends on medical history and imaging studies, especially ultrasound and Doppler examination in experienced hands. Differential diagnosis is essential with other hepatic lesions, mainly hepatoblastoma. In symptomatic patients, propranolol emerges as the first line treatment with good results and low frequency of adverse effects. We present the case of a newborn with a hepatic hemangioma and Kasabach-Merritt syndrome with an excellent response and tolerance to propranolol.

El hemangioma hepático es el tumor benigno de hígado más frecuente. Puede ser congénito o infantil, con diferentes evoluciones y complicaciones. La evolución clínica es muy variable, desde pacientes asintomáticos hasta cuadros de gravedad con insuficiencia cardíaca, síndrome de Kasabach- Merritt o síndrome compartimental. El diagnóstico se basa en la historia clínica y los estudios por imágenes, especialmente, la ecografía y el examen doppler en manos experimentadas. Resulta fundamental el diagnóstico diferencial con otras lesiones hepáticas, sobre todo, el hepatoblastoma. En los pacientes sintomáticos, el propranolol surge como primera línea terapéutica con buenos resultados y baja frecuencia de efectos adversos. Se presenta el caso de un recién nacido con hemangioma hepático asociado a síndrome de Kasabach- Merritt, con excelente respuesta y tolerancia al propranolol.

A case of neonate effectively treated with everolimus for giant hepatic hemangioma complicated with congenital duodenal atresia and Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) with Kasabach-Merrit syndrome from a large hepatic hemangioma is life-threatening. We report a case of giant hepatic hemangioma of the newborn with KMS. RESULTS: The patient was born at 37 gestational weeks and 2 days via cesarean section; weight at birth was 2952 g. Congenital duodenal atresia was noted during the fetal period. DIC developed after delivery and a giant liver hemangioma was diagnosed via abdominal CT. The cause of DIC was Kasabach-Merritt syndrome owing to a giant hepatic hemangioma. First, combination therapy of 2 mg/kg/day of prednisolone and 0.2 mg/kg/day of propranolol was initiated form enterostomy. However, the size of the hepatic hemangioma did not alter, as observed via image evaluation. Therefore, 0.3 mg/kg/day of everolimus was administered frorm enterostomy. Subsequently, the size of the hepatic hemangioma was assessed via image evaluation. Although it did not alter, blood flow to the hepatic hemangioma decreased and thrombocytopenia was also suppressed. We performed hepatic lateral segmentectomy, radical operation for duodenal atresia. The pathological diagnosis of the removed tumor was infantile hemangioma. CONCLUSION: We report everolimus may be useful when PSL and propranolol are ineffective.

Intracranial kaposiform hemangioendothelioma presenting as epistaxis: a rare case report with review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a rare vascular tumor of intermediate malignancy with tendency for local invasion and recurrence. The tumor almost exclusively occurs in children, especially in infants. Intracranial KHE are extremely rare with only two cases reported in the literature. REPORT: We report the clinical and pathological features of this rare tumor arising from basitemporal region in a 21-month child. Our case did not present with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of KHE. CONCLUSION: KHE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial extra-axial neoplasm in children, and histopathological examination plays an important role in distinguishing KHE from its morphologic mimics. It is essential to diagnose KHE due to its locally aggressive nature.