A case of refractory bleeding bite wound of the tongue caused by DIC due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with aortic aneurysm has a reported complication frequency of approximately 4% and is associated with a severe bleeding tendency due to advanced fibrinogenolysis. We report a case of refractory bleeding bite wound of the tongue caused by DIC due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient was a 91-year-old man with atrial fibrillation and an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Computed tomography revealed an increase in the size of the aneurysm, a DIC score of 6 points, and abnormal D-dimer, resulting in a diagnosis of DIC (fibrinolytic type) caused by the abdominal aortic aneurysm. As for treatment, hemostatis was successfully achieved via an improvement in advanced fibrinogenolysis and coagulation. When treating unexplained hemorrhages in patients with a history aortic aneurysms, it is important to conduct an appropriate screening examination and consider a differential diagnosis of DIC.