Acquired von Willebrand syndrome associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and subcutaneous mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

Intern Med. 2013;52(23):2661-3. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.52.0825.

Abstract

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is a rare bleeding disorder with laboratory findings similar to those of congenital von Willebrand disease. We herein report a case of AVWS associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and subcutaneous mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. An IgG autoantibody against von Willebrand factor (VWF) was detected. The antibody bound to VWF but did not inhibit VWF activity. Rapid clearance of VWF seemed to be the cause of AVWS in the present case. VWF-containing concentrates stopped the bleeding. Even if such a complication is rare, for AVWS patients, prompt recognition of the underlying mechanism can save lives.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Female
  • Hashimoto Disease / complications*
  • Hashimoto Disease / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone / complications*
  • Middle Aged
  • von Willebrand Diseases / etiology*
  • von Willebrand Diseases / immunology
  • von Willebrand Diseases / therapy
  • von Willebrand Factor / administration & dosage
  • von Willebrand Factor / immunology
  • von Willebrand Factor / metabolism

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • von Willebrand Factor