Bleeding complications after arthroscopy in a JAK2V617F-positive patient with essential thrombocythemia and acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS).

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) is an acquired bleeding disorder with clinical and laboratory features similar to those of the inherited form of the disease. AVWS is reported in many disorders, most frequently in myeloproliferative neoplasms and in, among others, essential thrombocythemia (ET). Interestingly, ET is associated with both the thrombotic and haemorrhagic complications, which occur in 20 % and 5-30 % of patients, respectively. The present report concerns a 38-year-old man, suffering from ET, who presented with two episodes of post-arthroscopic joint bleeding after synovectomy required for the treatment of synovial hypertrophy and chronic left knee joint synovitis. We discuss the current diagnostic approaches, as well as the risk factors predisposing to bleeding and its management, in patients with essential thrombocythemia.