Report of a Case of Waterhouse-Friderichsen's Syndrome with Chief Complaint of Nasal Bleeding

Abstract

Nasal bleeding is a symptom commonly seen clinically. Its causes, however, are of various kinds, local or general. A case reported in this paper came to our clinic because of a severe nasal bleeding seemingly caused by an injury. The family history of the patient did not reveal any hemorrhagic tendency, and hereditary hemorrhagic diseases were, therefore, ruled out from the possible diagnosis.
The case was diagnosed as a Waterhouse-Friderichsen's syndrome on the basis of the clinical findings, i. e. sudden onset and rapid course, petechiae, fever, collapse, and the hematological data, i. e. neutrophilic leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia and prolonged bleeding time.
The author concludes that this syndrome was caused by symptomatic Werlhof's purpura due to rubella, subcutaneous bleeding and additional infection.