Abstract

BACKGROUND
von Willebrand disease (VWD) is characterized by a bleeding tendency due to abnormalities in von Willebrand factor (VWF). Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can induce secondary coagulopathy and hemostatic disorders. We herein present a rare case of multiple trauma, including severe TBI, in a patient with VWD who was successfully treated with repeated factor VIII/VWF transfusion in addition to standard critical care.
CASE REPORT
A 22-year-old man with type 2A VWD sustained head and lower limb injuries in a traffic accident and was comatose. Computed tomography indicated multiple trauma, including severe TBI (left-sided traumatic epidural hematoma, left-sided traumatic subdural hematoma, traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, skull fracture, and skull base fracture). The patient underwent emergency craniotomy for hematoma removal, external decompression, and intracranial pressure monitoring along with massive transfusion and repeated perioperative transfusion of factor VIII/VWF concentrates according to the level of bleeding. He recovered consciousness and eventually survived without neurological deficits.
CONCLUSIONS
Multiple trauma including TBI in patients with VWD is a critical condition. The active transfusion of factor VIII/VWF is essential for controlling hemorrhage early and in the perioperative period.

Keywords: Blood Transfusion; Brain Concussion; Multiple Trauma; von Willebrand Disease, Type 2