Idiopathic Thrombocytopenlc Purpura

A Case Report and Articles Review

Abstract

A 43 years old male patient presented with fulminating upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding, who was complicated with underlying chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The bleeding was exanguinating and uncontrollable as a result of the very low platelet number of the patient. Despite full medical treatment of steriod, H2-receptor antagonist and supportive massive blood transfusion, the patient was still in condition of profound shock while the bleeding was active and life threatening. Thus, emergency splenectomy was performed to rapidly achieve hemostatic level of platelet counts without any hesitation and the patient's life was rescued. The treatment modality of chronic ITP were also reviewed and mentioned in this report.