Congenital Dysfibrinogenemia Presented with Massive Hematomas Formed after Hysterectomy ()
1. Introduction
Congenital fibrinogen disorders comprise two classes of plasma fibrinogen (Fbg) defects: type I, afibrinogenemia or hypofibrinogenemia; and type II, dysfibrinogenemia or hypodysfibrinogenemia, in which there are normal or reduced antigen levels associated with disproportionately low functional activity (qualitative fibrinogen deficiencies) [1] [2]. The first patient of congenital dysfibrinogenemia (CD) was recognized in 1955 [3] and the point mutation was reported in Fbg Detroit I in 1968 [4]. Since then, more than 100 mutations and 400 families have been reported [1] [2]. About 20% of fibrinogen gene mutations are known to be responsible for thrombosis [5].
Patients with CD might be identified during the clinical investigation of bleeding [6] or thrombosis [7], or following miscarriage [8]. However, most patients are asymptomatic and are usually discovered by the findings of prolongation of routine parameters of coagulation, such as prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) [9]. The majority of propositi of CD had an incidental diagnosis [10] [11]. CD is usually suspected if there is a discrepancy between clottable and immunologic fibrinogen levels.
We report here an asymptomatic CD case with γ275 Arg to His (CGC to CAC) mutation, presented with massive hematomas formed soon after an abdominal hysterectomy,
2. Case Report
A 41-year-old Japanese woman, virgin and single, visited the emergent room at Gujo City Hospital due to acute and unbearable abdominal pain. An emergent computed tomography (CT) examination showed full bladder distension due to a giant myoma of the uterus. Catheterization of the bladder released her abdominal pain. Then, she was introduced to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She had a normal menstrual cycle without hyper- and dysmenorrhea, and had no history of hemorrhagic diathesis and thrombus. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a huge pelvic mass, suggesting an intra-mural giant myoma in her backside, apart from the endometrium (Figure 1(A)). Screening tests before the operation showed no abnormalities, including PT and APTT (Table 1) and liver functions. She wished to receive an early hysterectomy, and then she underwent an abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy (Figure 1(B)) for reducing the future ovarian cancer incidence [12], after administering GnRH antagonist for one month. The operation for 121 minutes was performed as usual, and the blood loss was 100 g (ml). The patient showed an uneventful course for approximately six hours after the end of operation, but
![]()
Table 1. Summary of coagulation test results.
![]()
Figure 1. (A) A huge mass, approximately 12 cm in diameter, suggesting leiomyoma, presented at the backside (T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging). (B) The resected uterus had a huge mass.
then she showed abdominal distension with tachycardia and hypotension, suggesting massive bleeding. Emergent CT and laboratory examinations revealed two massive hematomas in the abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue and muscle area (Figure 2) and the pelvic bottom. The laboratory examination before the re-operation showed a low level of plasma Fbg (47 mg/dl), as listed in Table 1. After then, we decided to perform a re-laparotomy after preparation of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and red blood cell (RBC) suspension. At the re-laparotomy, one bigger hematoma under the abdominal muscle fascia and the other smaller on the pelvic floor after hysterectomy was present, but apparent bleeding points could not be detected. Hematomas were removed, and all ligated blood vessels were re-ligated. Some oozing points were vaporized by the electrocision. The blood loss including hematomas was 801 g (ml). Six units of FFP and twelve units of RBC suspension were transfused before and after the re-operation. After the 2nd operation, the clinical course was uneventfully excepted with low level of Fbg activity (Table 1). The post-operative course of the 2nd operation was uneventful and the patient was discharged on 6th day after the 2nd operation. Pathological examination of a giant uterine tumor revealed leiomyoma (Figure 3), and two weeks after the operation, the Fbg activity showed still the low level (Table 1). After then, we decided to determine the differential diagnosis of low or dysfibrinogenemia; therefore consulted Prof. Okumura, Shinshu University, who is an expert of CD and one of the co-authors. As the value of the Fbg activity and antigen was dissociated (Table 1), dysfibrinogenemia rather than hypofibrinogenemia was considered [13]. Thus, we analyzed the mutation(s) of fibrinogen genes, FGA, FGB and FGG [14]. Genetic analysis was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Shinshu University School of Medicine (#603) and after informed consent had been obtained from the patient, blood samples were collected. Polymerase chain reaction-amplification of the Fbg gene was performed and direct DNA sequencing was done as described in a previous report [12]. A G to A substitution resulted in the replacement of wild-type Arg at residue 275 by His (Figure 4) [14]. The patient was diagnosed CD with γ275 Arg to His (CGC to CAC).
![]()
Figure 2. A big hematoma, measuring approximate 11 cm was seen subcutaneously, and the other was also found in the pelvic bottom (not seen). Active bleeding could not be found on enhanced CT.
![]()
Figure 3. Histopathology of a huge mass shows leiomyoma composed of spindle cell tumor cells. Hematoxylin & eosin stain, magnification ×100.
![]()
Figure 4. Nucleotide sequences of FGG exon 8. The PCR-amplified gene was sequenced using a reverse primer. A GCG was transited to GTG used reserved primers, meaning γ275Arg (CGC) was transited to His (CAC) used forward primers.
After nine months of the 2nd surgery, the patient is healthily without hemorrhage and thrombosis episodes. After diagnosing the patient, we interviewed her family medical history, including hemorrhage or thrombosis episodes, and commissioned to examine the level of Fbg activity of her family in another hospital. Her father and brother were confirmed to be the low level of Fbg activity, but they had no episodes of hemorrhage or thrombosis. The mutations of fibrinogen gene of this patient’s father and brother have not been examined.
3. Discussion
The present patient remained asymptomatic until the hematomas formed after the 1st operation. An accidental injury of the venule might occur because of a little blood loss [100 g (ml)] of the 1st operation. After forming subcutaneous hematoma, the Fbg might be consumed and the second hematoma might form in the abdominal cavity/pelvic bottom. Most gynecological manifestations of CD cases [10], even presently are thought to be menorrhagia, spontaneous recurrent abortion, antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage [13]. However, this patient had no bleeding episode, including menorrhagia, spontaneous recurrent abortion, and antepartum/postpartum hemorrhage, as she did not experience pregnancy.
Determining intraperitoneal hemorrhage and its causes by diagnostic imaging including abdominal ultrasonography, CT and MRI are thought to be critical to treatment planning. Especially, enhanced CT might be the best tool for determining active bleeding [15]. In the present case, two large hematomas, but no active bleeding, were observed on an emergent CT.
In general, Fbg is an abundant protein synthesized in the liver, present in human blood plasma at concentrations ranging 180 - 350 mg/dl in healthy individuals with a normal half-life of 3 - 5 days [16]. Before the 2nd operation, we found that the Fbg (activity) was low level [47 (mg/dl)]. The patient showed the low level of Fbg up to 6 months after the operation. After the preparation of FFP, we removed the hematomas and do stanching operations. The differential diagnosis of low and dysfibrinogenemia should be done. In this case, as the value of the Fbg activity and antigen was dissociated, we considered dysfibrinogenemia rather than hypofibrinogenemia [13].
For the definitive diagnosis, a G to A substitution resulted in the replacement of wild-type Arg at residue 275 by His [14]. The patient was diagnosed CD with γ275 Arg to His (CGC to CAC). CD is generally associated with autosomal dominant inheritance caused by heterozygosity for missense mutations [13]. The most frequent mutations are substitutions in the N-terminal region of Aα chain or in the C-terminal region of the γ chain that result in defective interaction between the two terminal D regions and the E region, or in defective D:D interactions, thus causing a defect in the assembly of fibrin in early clot formation [17]. Mutations in exon 2 of FGA and exon 8 of FGG account for almost 85% of all CD mutations [13]. The present case showed γ275 Arg to His mutation in exon 8 of FGG. Several reports described same mutation in the CD patients [9] [18] [19] [20]. The R275 residue is known to be the most commonly mutated site in the globular carboxyl-terminal region of the γ-chain [21]. Usually, affected individuals do not show thrombo-embolic complications. However, thrombotic complications were reported in three of the nine families with heterozygous mutations encoding Arg275 → His substitutions [18]. While no bleeding or thrombotic events have occurred in the patient’s family, it is possible that thrombotic or hemorrhagic events may occur in the future, especially in the case of surgery, delivery, or trauma [22]. Therefore, the patient and her family still need follow-up to prevent thrombosis, bleeding, or other related events.
As for CDs, bleeding is generally mild, and also PT and APTT tests in most cases showed normal range, as shown in this case [9]. As the pre-operative screening test for suspicious for massive hemorrhage during operation, Fbg must be included especially in CD’s relatives living areas. When suspected for CD who will receive operation for cardiovascular and/or major bleeding, FFP or cryoprecipitate should be prepared before the operation [13].
4. Conclusion
CD is a qualitative Fbg disorder characterized by normal antigen levels of a dysfunctional Fbg. We presented a 41-year-old Japanese woman who received an abdominal hysterectomy as usual, but hematomas formed after the operation. The dissociated values of Fbg activity and antigen suggested dysfibrinogenemia and genetic analysis revealed CD with γ275 Arg to His (CGC to CAC) mutation.
Consent
Verbal consent was obtained from the patient before writing this case report.
Ethical Approval
This was obtained from the ethical committee of our hospital before writing this case report.
Acknowledgements
We thank the editor and reviewers for the constructive comments, which helped us to improve the manuscript. This case report was approved by the patient verbal consent.