Eradication of acquired hemophilia associated with indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma by a disease specific treatment

Treating Acquired Factor VIII Inhibitor and Tumor-Induced Hypoglycemia in a Case of Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLCBL) is a heterogenous disease, with many phenotypic subtypes and occasional paraneoplastic syndromes being present. Herein, we describe a case of a 63-year-old woman, with relapsed/refractory DLBCL (RR-DLBCL) with artifactual hypoglycemia on laboratory testing, likely related to the mechanical effects of a new factor VIII inhibitor. We demonstrate our workup, consideration, treatment, and her clinical course. This patient did not present with a bleeding phenotype despite her aberrant laboratory results, and therefore determining her risk of bleeding to weigh against further diagnostic procedures presented a difficult decision. We utilized rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) to assist with clinical decision making regarding her paraneoplastic factor VIII inhibitor and the patient's bleeding risk. This led to a short course of dexamethasone. Her ROTEM improved, and an excisional biopsy was performed without any bleeding. To our knowledge, this is the only reported instance where this technology was utilized in this setting. We believe utilizing ROTEM to determine bleeding risk may be a beneficial tool for clinical practice in such additional rare cases.

Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion as the debut of acquired hemophilia in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient: A case report, and a review of acquired hemophilia A-related hematological malignancies

BACKGROUND

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare bleeding disease caused by autoantibodies against factor VIII. Spontaneous bleeding symptoms usually affect the skin and muscle, while pericardial effusion is an extremely rare manifestation. In the elderly, anticoagulant treatment is frequent and bleeding symptoms are usually associated with this.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

We report a hemorrhagic pericardial effusion as the AHA debut in a patient with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia and anticoagulated with apixaban for atrial fibrillation and chronic arterial ischemia. The patient was treated with recombinant activated factor VII to control the active bleeding and corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide to eradicate the inhibitor. In addition, a briefly review of hematological malignancies associated to acquired hemophilia was performed. PARTICULARITIES:: a) anticoagulant treatment may confuse the suspicion of AHA and its diagnosis; b) hemorrhagic pericardial effusion is an extremely rare presentation; c) bypassing agents raise the risk of thromboembolism; d) hematological malignancies rarely cause AHA (<20% of cases).

CONCLUSION

A multidisciplinary team is needed to diagnose and manage AHA effectively. The use of anticoagulants may lead to the misdiagnosis of clinical symptoms. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is one of the main causes of hematological malignancies associated. The specific treatment of CLL is still recommended in the event of active disease.