Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Five of seven patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura have survived from 1 to 10.5 years from the time of diagnosis. In four cases, treatment consisted of high doses of corticosteroids followed by splenectomy. Three patients so treated were cured, and are still well 1, 1.5, and 7 years after therapy. Another patient, treated with low doses of steroids and splenectomy, has had chronic active disease for 10.5 years. In two of three cases, bedside biopsy of gingival tissue provided rapid histological confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a potentially curable illness whose clinical spectrum ranges from a rapidly fatal disorder to chronic smoldering illness. Histological diagnosis can be made quickly and accurately by gingival biopsy.