 previous article in this issue | next article in this issue  |
|
Document Details : Title: Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia associated with a thymoma: case report and review of the literature Author(s): DE KEYZER K, PEETERS P, VERHELST C, DENDOOVEN A, VONCK A, VANHOLDER R Journal: Acta Clinica Belgica Volume: 64 Issue: 5 Date: 2009 Pages: 447-451 DOI: 10.2143/ACB.64.5.1002519 Abstract : A 67-year-old female presents with a small mass in the anterior mediastinum on chest computed tomography. A biopsy proves the mass to be a spindle-cell-type or type A thymoma. Subsequently the patient develops fever and severe Coombspositive haemolytic anaemia. She is initially treated with oral corticosteroids. Because of persistence of the haemolysis subsequent thymectomy is performed. Haemolysis disappears almost instantly and does not return after discontinuation of the oral corticosteroids. Review of the literature reveals only 17 other cases of thymoma-associated autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. |
