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Scientific
Acute Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Case Report
Acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report
A paper from my time as a House Officer at the Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University NHS Trust.
It was co-authored with S. Ariyaratnam, Clinical Teacher, Specialist in Oral Medicine, and A.J. Duxbury, Consultant, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Oral Medicine, Unit of Oral Medicine, University Dental Hospital, Manchester.
It was published in the journal Dental Update, Volume 31, Issue 2, in March 2004.
Abstract: This paper presents a case report of a patient who developed severe oral and cutaneous manifestations of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, followed by a discussion of the approach to its differential diagnosis and management in the dental setting.
Clinical relevance: Acute idiopathic thrombocytopenia is one of many bleeding disorders that may manifest in the oral cavity. Patients may initially complain of bleeding gums, and the dentist, who is the first person asked to give an opinion, may fail to suspect that this could be a serious haematological disease with a potentially fatal outcome.
Objective: To discuss the case of a patient who presented with severe oral and cutaneous manifestations of acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
General information
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the name given to the condition in which there is a low platelet count and associated clinical manifestations, due to an autoimmune reaction that cannot be attributed to any other coexisting disease. In essence, therefore, it is a primary thrombocytopenia of unknown cause. Traditionally, two main subtypes are recognised, acute and chronic ITP, which affect different age groups and differ in their management and prognosis.
Acute ITP follows a viral illness, usually one with a rash, and as a rule occurs in children and adolescents. Chronic ITP, by contrast, occurs in adults, more commonly women, mostly aged 20–40. Thrombocytopenia in an adult is rarely due to acute ITP.
Causes/Pathophysiology
In acute ITP, immune complexes of viral antigens and platelets are found, which are trapped by monocytes/phagocytes via Fc receptors, or antibodies against the virus that also act against the platelets.
Magazine
Article in the magazine Epiloges Ioanninon
