[A 42 year old patient with bilateral loss of sight and hypertension. Gemcitabine-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)].

  • A Schmidt
  • N Schwella
  • Udo Helmchen
  • D von Renteln
  • K Caca

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Abstract

We report a case of a 42 year old male patient with a history of adrenocortical carcinoma, who was admitted with bilateral loss of sight and hypertension. Laboratory tests and further clinical evaluation showed hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and acute renal failure. This was consistent with thrombotic microangiopathy / hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) due to gemcitabine therapy. The patient was successfully treated with prednisolon and antihypertensive drugs. Visus was completely restored, plasmapheresis was not needed. Clinicians should be aware of HUS as a rare complication of gemcitabine therapy.

Bibliographical data

Original languageGerman
Article number8
ISSN0020-9554
Publication statusPublished - 2008
pubmed 18427761