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Introduction: Coagulopathy related to venous malformations can be life threatening. This complication is little known and underestimated., Case Report: We report the case of a 52-year-old female patient who presented with a left femoral fracture. She had a pre-existing muscular infiltrating venous malformation of the left hip. During surgery, she developed acute disseminated intravascular coagulation. The latter was probably a consequence of both surgery and localized intravascular coagulation that was unknown before the trauma., Conclusion: It is important to diagnose localized intravascular coagulation in venous malformations, since the risk of disseminated intravascular coagulation can be prevented by anticoagulant therapy., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a life-threatening event during resuscitation. The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) diagnostic scoring system enables early diagnosis of DIC. We here report three clinical cases of DIC characterized by several etiologies: prostatic adenocarcinoma, septic shock and retroplacental hematoma. The tests of hemostasis needed to calculate international society on thrombosis and haemostasis (ISTH) score (platelet count, prothrombin ratio, values of fibrinogen and D-dimer levels) were performed regularly. Additional, complementary tests (soluble complexes test, euglobulin lysis test, antithrombin level dosing, activated protein C and factor V dosing) were also performed. ISTH score enables early diagnosis of DIC., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d´intérêts., (Copyright: Sawsen Bouzidi et al.)

Arterial thrombosis of the newborn is rare and associated with poor prognosis, often attributed to umbilical arterial catheterization. The aortic and spontaneous forms are exceptional. Its severity requires fast and effective treatment. Although therapeutic means are numerous, no consensus has been established to date although thrombolysis and heparin therapy appear to give good results depending on the site and extent of thrombosis. We report a case of extensive thrombosis of the abdominal aorta in a 5-day-old newborn, revealed by acute hypernatremic dehydration. Thrombosis was not related to umbilical catheterization. The diagnosis was confirmed by Doppler ultrasound with discovery during the etiologic assessment of an authentic protein S deficiency. This observation was the occasion for a review of the literature concerning the evolutionary and therapeutic clinical aspects of neonatal arterial thrombosis., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

This review addresses the pathophysiology of hemorrhagic shock, a condition produced by rapid and significant loss of intravascular volume, which may lead to hemodynamic instability, decreases in oxygen delivery, decreased tissue perfusion, cellular hypoxia, organ damage, and death. The initial neuroendocrine response is mainly a sympathetic activation. Haemorrhagic shock is associated altered microcirculatory permeability and visceral injury. It is also responsible for a complex inflammatory response associated with hemostasis alteration., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Severe congenital protein C deficiency is a rare life-threatening coagulopathy. In the early hours of life, the neonate presents with extensive purpura fulminans and substantial skin necrosis contrasting with a preserved general state and a negative infectious exam. Disseminated intravascular coagulation sets in secondarily. Prenatal outset of thrombotic events is a rare situation that worsens the prognosis, especially protein C replacement in utero is not available. We report a case of a male newborn of consanguineous parents who were asymptomatic carriers of heterozygous protein C deficiency. This infant presented prenatal ventricular hemorrhage with hydrocephalus and rapidly extensive postnatal skin necrosis that was not regressive in spite of fresh frozen plasma administrated after 24h of life. Prenatal diagnosis, early recognition, and urgent therapy with protein C replacement and anticoagulant treatment are crucial to improve the prognosis, avoid further damage after delivery, and prevent the devastating consequences of severe protein C deficiency., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Filoviruses are responsible for highly lethal infections. Those viruses are found in intertropical areas of Africa and Asia where they circulate in their supposed natural reservoir, fruit bats. During filovirus outbreaks and depending on the strains, various modifications in hemostasis have been observed in patients. The disseminated intravascular coagulation identified in these infections is multicausal and involves both viral factors and abnormal physiological responses. In this review we will describe the mechanisms responsible for these disturbances and we will highlight some aspects of the basis of filovirus high pathogenicity., (© 2015 médecine/sciences – Inserm.)

Introduction: Herpes simplex hepatitis is a rare cause of acute hepatitis in immunocompetent patients. The triad of fever, increase in liver enzymes and leucopenia is suggestive of herpes simplex hepatitis. Delayed diagnosis without antiviral therapy contributes significantly to an unfavorable outcome., Observation: We report a 50-year old immunocompetent male patient, who presented with acute severe hepatitis due to a reactivation of a herpes simplex infection with a complicated course including macrophage activation syndrome and severe coagulopathy. Outcome was finally favorable with early acyclovir therapy., Conclusion: Despite its relatively low occurrence rate, diagnosis of herpetic hepatitis should be discussed in immunocompetent patients with acute liver failure. The benefit of an early acyclovir treatment should lead clinicians to consider this uncommon diagnosis in unexplained cases of hepatitis and to test rapidly HSV DNA levels by PCR in plasma., (Copyright © 2013 Société nationale française de médecine interne (SNFMI). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is based on clinical and biological criteria including the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and thrombotic events or pregnancy morbidity. Heparins relayed by vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are the gold standard treatment for thrombosis., Case Report: We report a 17-year-old man who presented with an initially seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome, in whom the diagnosis was late, only obtained after anticoagulation withdrawing, when a catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) with cutaneous lesions and disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome occurred. For personal convenience, this patient was initially treated with fondaparinux followed by a new oral anticoagulant (rivaroxaban) before to return to the conventional VKA treatment., Conclusion: The "seronegative" APS is a controversial concept reflecting the heterogeneity of antigenic targets for aPL. This diagnosis may be considered after a rigorous work-up, with the help of haemostasis laboratories testing new emerging aPL assays. In APS, the new anticoagulants represent an attractive option needing nevertheless prospective studies to evaluate their safety and efficacy. Lupus anticoagulant detection in patients treated by new oral anticoagulants is not easy by usually recommended coagulation tests., (Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex abnormality of hemostasis with dramatic consequences and long described as associated with tumors. Yet the diagnosis and management of paraneoplastic DIC are poorly defined. The purpose of this paper is to review DIC associated with solid tumors, at the pathophysiological and therapeutic levels in particular. We also report data from a recent retrospective series of patients with DIC in the context of a solid tumor, to illustrate the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review our experience in the management of traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus, to evaluate the results of surgery and endovascular exclusion and to develop an adequate therapeutic strategy based on the existence and severity of associated injuries., Material: A series of 37 patients presenting posttraumatic aortic rupture associated with other severe lesions was collected from 2000 to 2012. There were 33 males and four females, mean age 38 years. In this series, 25 patients underwent surgical treatment and 12 endovascular exclusion., Results: Six patients died during or after surgery. Overall mortality was 16% (24% in the surgery group). The postoperative period was uneventful in all patients treated with the endovascular procedure. Postoperative computed tomography controls at one week, 1 month and 12 months showed good positioning of the stent without endoleakage., Conclusion: Traumatic aortic rupture is often the result of a severe high-energy chest trauma. Other serious injuries are often associated. Results of immediate surgical repair are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The advent of endovascular treatment has revolutionized the treatment of traumatic aortic rupture, especially in patients with a high surgical risk., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Background: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in obstetric disorders is a severe complication., Aim: To study the frequency and means of diagnosis of DIC and the therapeutic care and maternal morbidity induced., Methods: Monocentric, prospective and descriptive study about 45 cases of intravascular coagulation in an obstetrical service collected at the University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hedi Chaker of Sfax over a period ranging from June 2007 to June 2010. All the pregnant patients who have given birth beyond 28 weeks and have presented a DIC were selected for this study., Results: The mean age of patients was 31.4 years. The mean parity was 2.6. The main diseases during pregnancy were: severe preeclampsia (22.2%), diabetes (28.8%), intrauterine fetal death (17.7%), previa placenta (8.8%). The main causes of DIC were: uterine atony (44.4%), abruptio placenta (22.2%), Hellp syndrome (11.1%) and uterine rupture (6, 6%). The lowest rate of platelets was 21000/mm3. The fibrinogen level was <0.5 g in 40% of cases. Despite reanimation and transfusion with blood products, surgical treatment was necessary in 77.7% of cases. All the patients were transferred in intensive care unit with an average stay of about three days. No maternal death was reported., Conclusion: DIC is a frequent complication of many obstetrical diseases. The treatment is urgent. It requires first to the cause and the shock by massive transfusions of packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets, associated with antifibrinolytic drugs, if necessary.

Pelvic actinomycosis is a rare chronic suppurative granulomatous disease associated with an intrauterine contraceptive device. Next pelvic organs can be affected but also more distant organs, to lead to different clinical situations. The diagnosis is therefore often difficult. We report here the case of a woman who presents a particular extensive pelvic actinomycosis diagnosed after surgical treatment with important morbidity. This case shows the interest of evoking the diagnosis in an evocative clinical context, doing the necessary exams to confirm the hypothesis, favouring medical treatment and reserving surgical treatment for particular situations., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The case of a 21-year old man who died due to an intracranial thrombosis just after diagnosis of Goodpasture's disease, is reported. Discussion deals with the putative mechanisms, which could be responsible for the thrombosis.

Amniotic fluid embolism is always a serious complication during the peripartum period. We report the case of an amniotic fluid embolism during curettage for a pregnancy arrest at 13 weeks. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of epithelial cells into the maternal blood.

Background: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a severe disease. It can be caused by loss of pathology., Case Report: We report the case of chronic aortic dissection discovered during the evaluation of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This case is characterised by the severity of clinical presentation, challenging diagnosis and difficulty of therapeutic approach. Low dose of heparine may reduce the severity of this situation; but vital prognosis remains obscure., Conclusion: aortic dissection is a rare but a severe cause of disseminated intravascular coagulation

Defined by the association of hemolysis, hepatic dysfunction and thrombocytopenia, the Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzyme, Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome can complicate preeclampsia and worsen maternal and fetal prognosis. It can be diagnosed in the immediate postpartum (30%) or in the absence of preeclampsia (10-20%). Clinical diagnosis can be difficult because there is no specific symptom. Abdominal pain or vomiting during the third trimester must lead to think about this diagnosis. Biological criteria are well defined: hemolysis by the presence of schistocytes, increased serum total bilirubin >12 mg/L or LDH >600 IU/L, hepatic dysfunction by increased transaminases and thrombocytopenia by a platelet count <100,000/microL. The evolution of those parameters is a major prognostic factor. With the HELLP syndrome, maternal morbidity is dramatically increased compared to isolated preeclampsia with complications such as eclampsia, placental abruptio, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pulmonary edema, acute renal insufficiency, subcapsular liver hematoma. The management of a HELLP syndrome requests level 3 hospital with intensive care units for neonate and mother. The treatment of this syndrome requires termination of the pregnancy as soon a possible, either by cesarean section or by vaginal delivery if cervical conditions are optimal (without any maternal or fetal complications). Before 32 weeks, a more expectative attitude could be acceptable with the prematurity permitting corticotherapy for fetal pulmonary maturation. This corticotherapy can improve temporary biological parameters but there are no proven benefits to consider improvement for long term maternal or fetal prognosis. During the postpartum, evolution is usually spontaneously favorable. Recurrences are not frequent.

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the most common cause of potentially preventable death in massive trauma. In addition to the early identification of potential bleeding sources and angiographic embolisation or surgical bleeding control, in-hospital management will aim at maintain tissue oxygenation with volume replacement using crystalloids, colloids and RBC. In general, RBC transfusion is recommended to maintain hemoglobin between 7-10g/dL. The complex combination of clotting factors and platelets consumption, loss and dilution, shock, hypothermia, acidosis and colloid-induced hemostatic alterations leads to coagulopathic bleeding. Most guidelines recommend the use of FFP in significant bleeding complicated by coagulopathy (PT, aPTT >1.5 times control). Platelets should be administered to maintain a platelet count above 50 x 10(9)/L (100 x 10(9)/L in patients with traumatic brain injury). However, standard laboratory tests have poor correlation with in vivo coagulopathy and the test results are not rapidly available. Empiric guidelines derived from mathematical hemodilution models developed in elective surgery settings may not be appropriate for trauma settings where significant bleeding may have already occurred. Moreover, coagulopathy is frequently present on admission in severely injured patients. Recent litterature suggests that FFP and platelets should be given early and more often to injured patients requiring massive transfusion. The place of adjunctive hemostatic therapy is discussed.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a rare complication of prostatic cancer evolution. Occurring on hormonorefractory phase, it remains most often infraclinic. Cases of acute, severe intravascular disseminated coagulation at first presentation are life-threatening because of hemorragic and thrombotic complications, justifying emergency medical treatment. In the light of a review of literature, we insist on epidemiological features, physiopathology and therapeutics of intravascular disseminated coagulation. In spite of a pejorative prognosis, this could help to achieve a period of remission.

Objective: To compare the impact of conservative and radical strategies for placenta accreta on maternal morbidity and mortality., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients diagnosed with placenta accreta admitted to our tertiary center from January 1993 through October 2005. Two consecutive periods, A and B, were compared: during period A (january 1993 to June 1997), our written protocol called for the systematic manual removal of the placenta, to leave the uterine cavity empty. In period B (July 1997 to October 2005), we changed our policy and attempted to treat patients with a placenta accreta conservatively. The following outcomes over the two periods were compared: need for blood product transfusion, hysterectomy, intensive care admission, duration of stay in intensive care unit, sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation., Results: Fifty-one cases of placenta accreta were observed among 40281 deliveries (1.3/1000). Period B saw a reduction in the hysterectomy rate (11/13 versus 10/38; P < 0.01), the mean red blood cells transfused (3230+/-2170 versus 1081+/-1370 ml; P < 0.01) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (5/13 versus 1/38; P < 0.01) compared with period A. Seven cases of maternal infection were recorded during period B and none during period A (p = 0.22)., Conclusion: Conservative management of placenta accreta appears to be a safe alternative to radical management.

Introduction: We report two cases of patients with prostate cancer who underwent haematological complications from the disease., Clinical Cases: Diffuse intravascular coagulopathy (with thrombopenia) was observed in two patients (55 and 59 years-old) diagnosed with prostate cancer. In one patient who had normal prostate at clinical examination, thrombopenia with incomplete diffuse intravascular coagulopathy and biological inflammatory led to diagnosis. It was initially controlled by hormonal therapy and secondary by chemotherapy. In the other patient diffuse intravascular coagulopathy followed introduction of hormonal therapy and lead to the patient's death., Discussion: Patients with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma may have life-threatening coagulation complications due to their disease. Diffuse intravascular coagulopathy is the most frequent coagulation complication. Other coagulopathies associated with prostate cancer are thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura, thrombosis, Trousseau's syndrome and acquired factor VIII inhibitor development. Usually these haematological manifestations complicate the course of the disease and appear to have a bad prognosis. But thrombopenia or haematologic features may lead to the diagnosis of medullary metastatic prostatic cancer, even if the prostate appears normal at the initial clinical examination.

Amniotic embolism is a sudden, unexpected and devastating complication of pregnancy. The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of clinical presentation after excluding differential diagnosis or at autopsy in the event of death of the parturient. We need to develop simple, non-invasive, sensitive tests for a reliable and early diagnosis. We report the case of a 34-year-old woman, who presented soon after delivery, an isolated disseminated intravascular coagulation with severe haemorrhage, an haemostatic hysterectomy was required. A 3370 g child was delivered by caesarean section. The patient survived without sequelae. The diagnosis of amniotic embolism was established by the presence of amniotic cells in the maternal central venous blood as well as in the bronchoalveolar fluid.

Antigen presentation to inflammatory cells via pattern recognition receptors leads to the synthesis of NF-kappaB and other cytokine transcriptional factors. Leukocytes in the blood bind to endothelial receptors, the expression of which is mediated by proinflammatory cytokines via leukocyte integrins; the leukocytes then migrate to the site of inflammation. Endothelial procoagulant activity during sepsis is partly responsible for the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIVC) and tissue hypoperfusion that follow. The endothelium synthesizes numerous proinflammatory factors, including nitric oxide, which is responsible for the resistance acquired to endogenous catecholamines and for vasomotor paralysis. During sepsis, the autonomic nervous system activity decreases in favor of proinflammatory parasympathetic activity. Secretion of counterregulatory rather than proinflammatory hormones increases during sepsis. Organ dysfunctions may alter cell functions, essentially mitochondrial, as well as intertissue communication., ((c) 2006, Masson, Paris.)

We report the case of a 55-year-old woman ASA 2 scheduled for a cholecystectomy, who presented 25 minutes after the induction, a circulatory arrest probably due to a cardiac anaphylaxis attributed to atracurium. After 60 minutes of futile resuscitation without any spontaneous cardiac rhythm a percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was initiated. Twenty minutes later and after three external electric shocks electric cardiac activity returned normal. The weaning was possible 120 minutes later with catecholamine support. She left the intensive care unit on postoperative day seven after a laparotomy secondary to splenic injury due to intensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation. She was discharged home without any neurologic or cardiac sequellae. Biological assessment done during the circulatory arrest and cutaneous tests performed ten weeks later confirmed an isolated allergy to atracurium. CPB is the most efficient support in case of reversible cardiac arrest but unfortunately the less accessible outside from cardiac surgery unit.

Introduction: Streptococcus suis infection is recognised despite it rareness as a zoonotic occupational disease in humans, and is often associated with meningitis, more rarely with bacteremia., Observation: A Streptococcus suis bacteremia occurred in a hunter and was complicated by septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation, rhabdomyolysis and purpura fulminans. Contamination had occurred through inoculation of a cut on the thumb when the hunter was slaughtering a wild boar. The blood cultures isolated Streptococcus suis. The patient died 36 hours after admission, despite intensive care and adapted antibiotic treatment with penicillin A and macrolide., Conclusion: Streptococcus suis bacteremia are uncommon but serious in humans. Despite adapted treatment, evolution may be fatal, so their conditions of occurrence must be well known by hunters and practitioners.

Acute DIC is a rare, but life-threatening complication of metastatic prostate cancer. The authors discuss the treatment modalities in the light of three cases and a review of the recent literature. The key to treatment of DIC is treatment anti of the tumour. Androgen blockade is indicated in hormone-dependent tumours. This treatment can sometimes be completed by low-dose oral anticoagulants. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice of acute DIC during the hormone resistance phase.

The authors evaluated ten years of surgical reanimation in the University Centre of Lausanne (CHUV). Irreversible coagulopathy (IC) is the predominant cause of death for the polytraumatized patient. Acidosis, hypothermy, and coagulation troubles are crucial elements of this coagulopathy. The authors looked for a criterion allowing the identification of dying of IC. In a retrospective study, laboratory results of pH, TP, PTT, thrombocyte count and the need for blood transfusion units were checked for each major step of the primary evaluation and treatment of the polytraumatized patients. These results were considered as critical according to criteria of the literature (30). The authors conclude that the apparation of a third critical value may be useful to identify the polytraumatized patient at risk of dying of IC status. This criterion may also guide the trauma team in selecting a damage control surgical approach (DCS). This criterion was then introduced into an algorithm involving the Emergency Department, the operating room and the Intensive Care Unit. This criterion is a new tool to address the patient at the crucial moment to the appropriate hospital structure.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) revealing a prostatic adenocarcinoma is rare. Most of the case are limited to biological abnormalities. We report a case of a 73 year old man with metastatic prostatic carcinoma and CIVD. The patient consulted for epistaxis and ecchymosis with thrombocytopenia and low coagulate factors. The prostatic specific antigen was 2200 ng/ml and fine needle aspiration of bone marrow biopsy detected metastatic cells. The patients received hormonotherapy, heparine and antithrombine III with a good follow up. About this case, we discuss the management of the patient with metastatic prostatic cancer and CIVD.

We present a case of Capnocytophaga canimorsus fulminant infection linked to a dog bite in a splenectomized patient. Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative rod that typically causes septicaemia with disseminated intravascular coagulation in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. It is associated with high mortality. We also reviewed the literature and provide some recommendations on the management of bite wound as well as on both prevention and treatment of infection in asplenic state.

Unlabelled: All authors agree upon the need for early treatment of giant congenital nevi. The surgeon must seek to minimize the risk of malignancy. The objective calls for radical excision of all pigmented areas; this may be impossible because of the risk of leaving the patient with disfiguring scars. The aim of this study was to assess treatment of giant congenital nevi with the high-energy pulsed CO2 laser as an alternative to surgery., Patients and Methods: Between 1998 and 1999, the high-energy pulsed CO2 laser was used in nine newborns and five children., Results: The treatment with the high-energy pulsed CO2 laser achieved 70-90% clearing of the giant nevi in most of the children. Two children developed hypertrophic scars on a companion nevi and on giant congenital nevi. One child required a skin graft because of tissue necrosis, associated with a disseminated intravascular coagulation and septic shock., Discussion: Laser is a surface technique proposed when surgical excision cannot be performed because the surface is too large or the localization is incompatible with surgery. Early treatment, in the first 15 days, is not required for the quality of the cosmetic result. The high-energy pulsed CO2 laser provides satisfactory cosmetic results with short cicatrisation time. It allows the treatment of the companion nevi at the same time. The risk of malignant transformation is greatly but not totally reduced. Regular clinical surveillance should help reduce the risk.

Unlabelled: Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is not widely known in neonates., Case Reports: We report three new cases which illustrate some specific aspects of this pathology. Respiratory distress with severe pulmonary hypertension, systemic hypotension and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in a full-term newborn were characteristic findings., Conclusion: An early echocardiography should lead to accurate diagnosis. Hypoxemia and genetic factors could be determining factors in its pathogenesis.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to clarify the frequency of these causes., Patients and Methods: Retrospective study using reports of newborns in the neonatal unit in Sousse (Tunisia) from 1991 to 1996, hospitalized for hemorrhagic syndrome defined by bleeding, exteriorized or not, whatever its importance, severity, causes and the associated clinical and biological disorders. Isolated meningeal hemorrhages, limited cutaneo-mucous hemorrhages (conjunctival hemorrhages, bruises), and genital crises of the newborn, were excluded., Results: One hundred and fifty-five hemorrhagic syndromes were observed from 7,128 newborn infants (2.17% of hospitalization). Sex ratio was 1.42. Prematurity rate was 35.7%. The Apgar score was < 7 at one minute in 40.7% of cases. Disorders associated with hemorrhagic syndromes were observed in 118 newborn infants (76.1%) with a predominance of neonatal infections (35.6%). The etiology of neonatal hemorrhages was specified in 93% of cases: newborn hemorrhagic disease (27.7%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (27.1%), isolated thrombocytopenia (9%), digestive lesions (13.5%), and obstetrical trauma (2.6%)., Conclusion: The frequency of the newborns hemorrhagic syndromes underlines the need for its systematic prevention by vitamin K in the antenatal period to the mother and after birth to the newborn.

Background: Regenerative nodular hyperplasia can take on very misleading aspects making diagnosis difficult., Case Reports: We report three cases of regenerative nodular hyperplasia (RNH). In the first patient rupture of esophageal varices was associated with myelofibrosis. In the second, extensive portal thrombus formation was associated with consumption coagulopathy and essential thrombocytemia. The third patient had systemic sclerodermia, hepatic macronodules, refractory exsudative ascitis and chronic hepatic encephalopathy following surgery for a porto-cava anastomosis., Discussion: The diagnosis of RNH should be suspected in a variety of clinical situations with search for associated diseases in all cases. The prognosis is related to the consequences of portal hypertension and the severity of the associated diseases.

Prostate cancer can be complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. The severity of this complication justifies rapid medical treatment. The authors describe the case of a man in his seventies presenting with disseminated purpuric lesions due to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Prostate cancer was documented concomitantly. The clinical course was rapidly unfavourable despite endocrine therapy and blood transfusions. The mechanism of disseminated intravascular coagulation in prostate cancer has not been clearly elucidated, but appears to be related to release of procoagulant substances during certain diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The severity of the prognosis justifies rapid introduction of endocrine therapy, which is not immediately effective. It can help to achieve a period of remission if the haemorrhagic syndrome is controlled. Further studies may help to improve therapeutic management.

The incidence of newly diagnosed cancer is increased, among patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolic event (VTE), six to twelve months after the diagnosis. Among these cancers, the most common sites are colorectal, prostate, pancreas, lung and ovary cancers. However, no study has provided convincing evidence that a patient with idiopathic VTE should undergo an extensive search for underlying cancer. An hypercoagulable state is observed in cancer patients, as shown by abnormal "routine" blood tests found in up to 90% of these patients, as well as increased levels of specific markers of coagulation activation. Clinically, these abnormalities are expressed as thrombosis, hemorrhage or low grade or fulminant disseminated intravascular coagulation. The pathophysiology of this thrombophilic state is complex and due to interactions of tumor cells and their products with host cells. Cancer patients are thus at high risk of thrombosis and so far no biological test can predict the VTE. In special conditions, as surgery or during chemotherapy, prophylaxis with various forms of heparins or oral anticoagulant are recommended.

Coagulopathies associated with severe head trauma are usually of disseminated intravascular coagulation type with secondary fibrinolysis. We report a case whose semeiology was in part suggestive of a primary fibrinolysis.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a well known complication of malignancies especially of mucin-secreting cancers. However, it rarely occurs as the first clinical manifestation of a neoplasm. We report the case of a subacute disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome revealing a metastatic breast carcinoma.