The role of endoscopy in the diagnosis of Schönlein-Henoch purpura
Novák, J.
Orvosi Hetilap 138(35): 2169-2173
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-6002 PMID: 9324677 Document Number: 481713
During a 10 years period 62 adult patients were admitted with diagnosis of Schönlein-Henoch purpura in our hospital. 25 female and 37 male patients ranged from 30 to 87 years (mean: 59.5 years) presenting with cutan, joint, renal and particularly abdominal involvement were investigated retrospectively. During the course of the disease, all patients developed purpuric rash (100%), 14 (22.5%) patients had joint symptoms and renal involvement occurred in 12 (19.3%) patients. In this study, we discuss 15 (24%) patients with gastrointestinal symptoms appearing in Henoch's purpura. Analysis of the gastrointestinal clinical features revealed: abdominal pain 13 (86%), massive colorectal bleeding 3 (20%), occult blood loss 10 (66%) vomiting 6 (40%) and diarrhoea in 3 (20%) patients. All the patients underwent lower and upper endoscopic examination, in 3 cases the author saw purpuric mucosal lesions in duodenum and in 8 patients were also found coin-like elevated lesions, additionally, biopsy from colonic lesions showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It is concluded that endoscopy can be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of Schönlein-Henoch purpura, especially is those without typical skin rash.