Splenic Infarction and Subsequent Splenic Rupture in a Patient With Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria and Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

We describe a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) and no previous history of thrombosis who presented with hepatic venous thromboses and subsequently developed splenic infarction and rupture requiring splenectomy while on anticoagulation therapy for the hepatic thromboses. The patient's anticoagulation was complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) highlighting the unique management challenge presented by PNH in combination with HIT. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53: 472-474. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.