Abstract
Rubella is an acute viral infectious disease characterized by a skin rash and generalized lymph node swelling, particularly of the postauricular, suboccipital, and cervical lymph nodes. Rubella is considered a mild and common disease in children and young adults. Complications caused by rubella such as arthritis, encephalitis and thrombocytopenic purpura have been reported since the 1920s. The most important otolaryngological complication is thrombocytopenic purpura that develops severe epistaxis. Thromobocytopenic purpura following rubella was first described in 1929 by Pitten.
A 17-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital, who suffered from thrombocytopenic purpura following rubella with severe epistaxis and petechial bleeding. The peripheral platelet count was only 4000/cmm. Bone marrow examination showed that megakaryocyte had vacuoles in cytoplasm but its platelet formation was normal. Bleeding time was uncountable but coagulation time was within normal range. Rubella antibody titer in his serum was high. Platelet function was normal. Hemorrhagic diathesis was recovered with corticosteroid therapy and platelet transfusion.
Severe epistaxis ceased in a few days and, at the same time, the peripheral platelet count rapidly increased. After 22 days, it was recovered within normal range. The serious thrombocytopenia in this patient was regarded to be caused by rubella.
