Hyposplenism and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in fulminant pneumococcal sepsis.

A case of pneumococcal sepsis with DIC is reported. The patient had hyposplenism from thorium dioxide administration 23 years previously. Evidences of consumptive coagulopathy were verified by clinical manifestations of shock, generalized petechiae, abnormal hemostatic studies, and autopsy findings. The possible pathogenetic mechanism(s) of DIC in hyposplenism and pneumococcemia are reviewed.