Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia associated with intra-tumour haemorrhage in cavernous sinus after cardiac myxoma surgery

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening disorder that is associated with heparin exposure. The incidence of HIT in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is relatively rare. We present a case of intratumour haemorrhage in the cavernous sinus 1 week after cardiac surgery. The pathogenesis may be venous thrombosis and haemorrhagic infarct caused by HIT following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. This is a rare case and has not been reported previously.

Key words:

• Cavernous sinus
• heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
• schwannoma
• myxoma