Abstract
Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolism can be a fatal disease causing intestinal necrosis. We cured a patient with SMA embolism who was treated for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). A 67-year-old man was diagnosed with ITP suffered from purpura in his lower limbs and decreased platelet count. He improved after taking steroids for a month, he had sudden stomachache. His enhanced abdominal CT showed SMA embolism. Transperitoneal operation did not show intestinal necrosis, so we started anticoagulant therapy. He left the hospital on postoperative day 47. Although platelet count decreases in patients with ITP, platelet aggregation may increase. We must be aware of the possibility of the occurrence of embolisms.
