Abstract
Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a disease that often results in gastrointestinal bleeding, but it is sometimes difficult to identify the bleeding source. Here we present a case of an ulcer of the terminal ileum, caused by HSP, that was successfully evaluated by capsule endoscopy (CE) . A 50-year-old man presented to our hospital with melena for one week after the start of diarrhea, and with developing purpura on his lower extremities. A skin biopsy from the purpura was consistent with HSP. An abdominal, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed an extravasation into the ileal lumen, where it was inaccessible to standard endoscopy. The melena was resolved after the administration of prednisolone. CE revealed an ulcer in the ileum, which was consistent with CT evaluation. The location of the ulcer was further confirmed during balloon endoscopy. Capsule endoscopy can successfully locate an ulcer of the terminal ileum, caused by Henoch-Schönlein purpura, consistent with the results of CT and balloon endoscopy.
