Tamoxifen-associated Budd-Chiari syndrome complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis: a case report and literature review.

Abstract

We reported a rare case of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) associated with tamoxifen use, which was later complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT). The patient was a 44 year-old woman with a medical history of lobular carcinoma in situ, who had been on tamoxifen for 2 years, presented with abdominal pain and distention. Imaging studies followed by a liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of BCS. On extensive work-up, the patient was found to have an unclassified myeloproliferative disorder with positive JAK-2 V617 mutation. After discontinuing tamoxifen, the patient was started on intravenous heparin. However, later in the course, she developed HITT. Myeloproliferative disorder, in conjunction with tamoxifen, predisposed the patient to be highly thrombophilic resulting in BCS. HITT was found to be relatively common in BCS. Anticoagulation and blood count need to be carefully monitored, and the possibility of HITT emergence in these patients should always be kept in mind.

• Authors: Maneerat Chayanupatkul, Ji Hyun Rhee, Anand Raman Kumar, Gabor Varadi
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 2012 (Dec 04 2012) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23213131 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anticoagulants
• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
• Tamoxifen
• Heparin

Topics

• Adult
• Anticoagulants (adverse effects)
• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal (adverse effects)
• Budd-Chiari Syndrome (chemically induced, complications)
• Female
• Heparin (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Tamoxifen (adverse effects)
• Thrombocytopenia (chemically induced, complications)
• Thrombosis (chemically induced, complications)