We have encountered 3 cases of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome which were characterized
by hemangioma, thrombocytopenic purpura, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
All were female infants, the hemangioma involved the skin of the lower extremity,
and also the pelvic bone in case 1.
Al1 were placed on combined therapy with radiation and steroid, which included
fractional local irradiation, ranging from a total of 800 to 1,000 rads over 4∼5 doses and
a daily oral administration of prednisolone 2mg/kg/day for 3 weeks to 10 weeks,
tapering off over 3 weeks to 10 weeks. Blood platelet counts increased to normal range
and the hemangioma decreased inside markedly within 1 or 2 weeks after the initiation
of treatment. But other blcod coagulation profiles except platelet counts were normalized
gradually during prolonged steroid therapy.
We suggest that steroid-radiation combined therapy is one of good modality in the
management of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome.
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