Multiple visceral hematomas in a child with familial Mediterranean fever: polyarteritis nodosa

A 14-year-old girl was diagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) with homozygous for M694V mutation of the MEFV gene and was started on colchicine therapy 4 years before admission to our hospital. She was uncompliant to therapy and was admitted to a local hospital with complaining of fever, malaise, abdominal pain and artralgia lasting for 2 months. Multiple hypoechogenic mass lesions were detected on liver and kidneys with ultrasonography (US) and diagnosed to be hematomas by laparoscopic examination. She was referred to our hospital because of development of convulsions. On physical examination her blood pressure was 140/90 mmHg and body temperature was 39 degrees C. She was pale and extremely cachectic, with atrophic muscles of the extremities. She had diffuse abdominal tenderness and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory investigations revealed a hemoglobin of 9.8 g/dl, white blood cell count 9,900/mm3, platelets 213,000/mm3, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 112 mm/h, C- reactive protein (CRP) 78 mg/L (normal < 2 mg/L) and fibrinogen 500 mg/dl. Electrolytes, renal and hepatic functions and urinalysis were normal. Examinations of peripheric blood smear and bone marrow aspiration were normal. X-rays of bones and chest showed no pathological finding. Protrombine, partial thromboplastine and bleeding times were normal. Bacterial cultures of blood, urine and stool grew no organisms. Serological tests for hepatitis B and C, cytomegalovirus, salmonella and brucella were negative.