title: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura mimicking an acute meningoencephalitis.
abstract: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare, threatening disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and organ dysfunction, e.g., neurological impairment and renal insufficiency. We describe a patient with neurological impairment mimicking a meningoencephalitis in whom a thorough clinical evaluation along with appropriate laboratory tests led us to identify an underlying thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. The successful outcome of this patient was based on plasma exchange and immunosuppressive treatment. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with any neurological abnormalities, anaemia and unexplained thrombocytopenia.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tovoli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Giorgio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caio
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Felicani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbara
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Volta
mesh_terms: D051722:ADAM Proteins / Q000097:blood; D000071120:ADAMTS13 Protein; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D051722:ADAM Proteins; D000071120:ADAMTS13 Protein; C099604:ADAMTS13 protein, human