title: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in acute pancreatitis.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare syndrome of unknown cause with an estimated incidence of one case per million. The disease is characterized by a pentad of symptoms: thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neurologic changes, renal dysfunction, and fever. It causes thrombosis in the microvasculature of several organs, producing diverse manifestations. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a well-described consequence of TTP. We report a patient who developed TTP after presenting with AP, suggesting pancreatitis to be the cause, rather than a consequence, of TTP.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA. varadarajulu@idx.uchc.edu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varadarajulu
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Ramsey
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Israel
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications*; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy