De novo disseminated intravascular coagulation in angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy (AILD)

An elderly woman with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia (AILD) presented de novo with DIC in the absence of other etiologic causes for DIC. Complete reversal of the defibrination process occurred with vincristine, methyl-prednisolone, and heparin therapy. This case illustrates that defibrination can occur de novo in the presence of a clinically, although not pathologically, malignant process. AILD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of DIC.