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First page of Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon: diagnosis, management and outcome on two cases in Sub-saharan country (Senegal)

Introduction: Kasabach-Merritt Phenomenon (KMP) is a rare and life-threatening disease, characterized by the profound thrombocytopenia and consumptive coagulopathy associated with vascular tumors. In Sub-Saharan Africa, KMP-related data are scarce and it poses significant challenges in management, particularly due to limited availability of treatment resources. We report 2 cases of KMP observed in a Sub-Saharan Africa country (Dakar, Senegal). Case presentation: case 1: A 45-day-old male infant was admitted for a tumor lesion located in the axillary fold that has been evolving since birth. The lesion had rapidly become aggressive, inflammatory and purpuric. Blood tests showed normocytic normochromic anaemia with severe thrombocytopenia and high D-dimer levels. The diagnosis of a kaposiform hemangioendothelioma complicated by a Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon was retained. Treatment with betamethasone was initiated, but death occurred 6 days later secondary to cerebral hemorrhage. Case 2: A 2-month-old female infant was admitted for a rapidly aggressive, inflammatory, infiltrating tumor lesion on the face that had been progressing for 1 month. Blood tests showed normocytic normochromic anaemia with severe thrombocytopenia and high D-dimer levels. The diagnosis of a Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon was retained. Treatment with corticosteroids, then combined with vincristine, was administered. The outcome was favorable with a considerable regression of the mass and improvement in biological parameters after 6 months. Conclusion: To our knowledge, we report the first case report on KMP in Sub-saharan Africa particulary in pediactric Dermatology in Dakar. Besides their rarity, these cases highlight the challenges in the management of KMP in a country with limited therapeutic resources.

Journal Section:
Case Series
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2025
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