title: Abdominal wall and labial edema presenting in a girl with Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a common immunoglobulin A-mediated vasculitic syndrome in children, characterized by purpuric rash, arthritis and abdominal pain. Renal involvement, manifested by the presence of hematuria and/or proteinuria, is also frequently seen. In most cases, patients with this disease achieve complete recovery, but some progress to renal impairment. Gastro-intestinal manifestations are present in two-thirds of affected patients and range from vomiting, diarrhea, and peri-umbilical pain to serious complications such as intussusception and gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 7-year-old Caucasian girl who presented with abdominal pain, labial swelling, and a large abdominal ecchymosis two weeks after having been diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein purpura. A computed tomography scan revealed abdominal wall edema extending to the groin, without any intra-abdominal pathology. She was successfully treated with intravenous steroids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circumferential anterior abdominal wall edema and labial edema have never been reported previously, to the best of our knowledge, as a complication of Henoch-Schönlein purpura. These findings further contribute to the wide spectrum of manifestations of this disorder in the literature, aiding in its recognition and management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada. gs3@queensu.ca.
authors.forename: Rania
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hiram-Karasmanis
authors.forename: Ronald Garth
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radina
authors.forename: Donald Allen
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Soboleski