Open AccessA Case of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Associated with an Ovarian Teratoma
Author(s) -
Ickkeun Kim,
Jue Yong Lee,
Jung Hye Kwon,
Joo Young Jung,
H Song,
Young Lee Park,
Eusun Ro,
Kyung Chan Choi
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of korean medical science/journal of korean medical science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1598-6357
pISSN - 1011-8934
DOI - 10.3346/jkms.2006.21.2.365
Subject(s) - autoimmune hemolytic anemia , medicine , anemia , differential diagnosis , hemolytic anemia , ovarian teratoma , teratoma , hemoglobin , gastroenterology , pathology
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with an ovarian teratoma is a very rare disease. However, treating teratoma is the only method to cure the hemolytic anemia, so it is necessary to include ovarian teratoma in the differential diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We report herein on a case of a young adult patient who had severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia that was induced by an ovarian teratoma. A 25-yr-old woman complained of general weakness and dizziness for 1 week. The hemoglobin level was 4.2 g/dL, and the direct and indirect antiglobulin tests were all positive. The abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a huge left ovarian mass, and this indicated a teratoma. She was refractory to corticosteroid therapy; however, after surgical resection of the ovarian mass, the hemoglobin level and the reticulocyte count were gradually normalized. The mass was well encapsulated and contained hair and teeth. She was diagnosed as having autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with an ovarian teratoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such a case to be reported in Korea.