title: Henoch-Schönlein purpura following high-voltage electric burn injury: A case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown cause, with immune-mediated inflammation of the small vessels, which is characterized by a series of clinical symptoms, such as purpuric rash, colicky abdominal pain, arthritis and acute glomerulonephritis. Twenty-one days following a high-voltage electrical burn injury, a 40-year-old man developed classic clinical symptoms of HSP, including purpuric rash on bilateral lower extremities and abdominal pain. The patient was diagnosed with HSP associated with high-voltage burn injury, which is an extremely rare phenomenon. The diagnosis was based on the clinical manifestations of purpuric rash, abdominal pain and arthralgia, as well as the findings of laboratory examinations [increased levels of serum immunoglobulin A (11.6g/l) and complements C3 (9.6 g/l) and C4 (7.6 g/l), and a positive fecal occult blood test]. The patient was treated with antihistamines (loratadine tablets; 10 mg/day), anti-inflammatory medication (methylprednisolone sodium succinate; 40 mg/day) and oral omeprazole magnesium. The symptoms gradually decreased within 2 weeks from treatment and no abnormality was observed at the 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. In patients who have suffered an electrical burn injury, this autoimmune disease may be caused by long-term inflammation. Therefore, examination of the liver and kidney functions of such patients is important in order to decrease the risk of post-traumatic immune system dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The 175th Hospital of PLA, Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xunhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The 175th Hospital of PLA, Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Dongqi
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The 175th Hospital of PLA, Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Changlong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The 175th Hospital of PLA, Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Biao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The 175th Hospital of PLA, Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou, Fujian 363000, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yibin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
keywords: abdominal pain; electric burn injury; purpura; purpuric rash