title: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP): 4 case reports and review of the literature.
abstract: From 1987 to 1992 we found 4 cases of TTP in Chonburi Hospital. All were female, age range was 19-43 years. The criteria for making the diagnosis were based on the findings of MAHA (3 cases), thrombocytopenia (4 cases), neurological alternation (4 cases), fever (4 cases) and renal involvement (3 cases). Treatment consisted of plasma infusion, corticosteroid, ASA and dipyridamole. Two patients whose treatment began within 48 hours after admission survived, whereas, the other two whose treatment began 3 days and 6 days after hospitalisation died. Review of the literature concerning the clinical features, pathogenesis and current treatment was performed. The importance of giving early diagnosis and treatment to improve the survival rate in this disease is also emphasized. TTP has high mortality so it is important to make a correct diagnosis and give prompt treatment. The best treatment is plasmapheresis. The other forms of treatment are plasma infusion, steroid, antiplatelet drugs, immunosuppressive drugs and splenectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Chonburi Regional Hospital, Thailand.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sathawarawong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy