title: Apparent response of refractory post-transfusion purpura to splenectomy.
abstract: Post transfusion purpura (PTP) is a rare disorder characterized by the abrupt onset of severe thrombocytopenia following transfusion. A patient with PTP and massive bleeding was refractory to corticosteroids, gamma globulin, and plasma exchange but developed an immediate and sustained rise in platelet count following splenectomy. Splenectomy may be a useful therapeutic modality in patients with refractory PTP.
authors.affiliation: Hematology-Oncology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lind
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000601:surgery; D010976:Platelet Count; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011693:Purpura / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013156:Splenectomy; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery