title: [Purpura fulminans of the adult--a hematological emergency].
abstract: METHODS
  A 51-year-old female patient with history of longterm drug abuse, was admitted to our hospital with large, stocking-shaped areas of painful, non-displaceable confluent bruising reaching up to the groin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The emergency laboratory tests showed leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia as well as a distinct protein C deficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Purpura fulminans was diagnosed and treated with an initial dose of protein C. The patient survived and the skin necrosis can be treated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Purpura fulminans is an internistic and dermatological emergency situation which can lead to shock through consumptive coagulopathy. The serious course of disease can be prevented by rapid treatment with protein C.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie - Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg (Saar).
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Veith
authors.affiliation: Institut für Anatomie und Zellbiologie - Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg (Saar).
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tschernig
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie - Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg (Saar).
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie - Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg (Saar).
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pohlemann
authors.affiliation: Onkologie, Hämatologie, Klinische Immunologie und Rheumatologie - Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg (Saar).
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aßmann
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011486:Protein C / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020151:Protein C Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D055665:Purpura Fulminans / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D011486:Protein C