A CASE OF HENOCH-SCHÖNLEIN PURPURA ASSOCIATED WITH ACUTE PANCREATITIS

Abstract

A 52 year old man presented with purpura on his lower limbs, abdominal pain, and melena. He was subsequently diagnosed as having Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Two days after admission, he was diagnosed as having acute pancreatitis-related complications based on the elevated serum levels of amylase and lipase, and slight pancreatic enlargement as seen on abdominal CT images. Following administration of predonisolone and gabexate mesylate the acute pancreatitis improved concomitantly with improvement of the Henoch-Schönlein purpura. As regarding the cause of abdominal pain, we should treat pancreatitis rapidly and adequately, because Henoch-Schönlein purpura is rarely associated with acute pancreatitis.