Priapism in a patient with protein C deficiency

DARYANANI, S.
WILDE, J. T.

CRC Institute of Cancer Studies, The University of Birmingham, The Medical School, Birmingham and *Department of Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK

Accepted for publication 27 February 1997

Correspondence: Dr J.T. Wilde, Department of Haematology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.

Clinical & Laboratory Haematology 19(3):p 213-214, September 1997.

Summary

We present the case of a patient with classical protein C deficiency presenting with acute priapism during warfarinization for thrombophlebitis. Priapism is a well-recognized complication of a number of conditions including sickle cell disease and haematological malignancies, but to our knowledge it has not previously been reported in association with protein C deficiency. This case highlights the potential dangers of initiating oral anticoagulant therapy using conventional loading dose regimens in patients with protein C deficiency.