SIMULTANEOUS OCCURRENCE OF HENOCH-SCHONLEIN PURPURA AND ACUTE APPENDICITIS

We report a case of simultaneous occurrence of Henoch-Schonlein purpur a and acute appendicitis in a 6-year-old girl. Her complaints and the findings on physical examination were typical of acute appendicitis. U ltrasonic examinations showed a swollen appendix with fluid collection . Emergency laparotomy demonstrated perforating appendicitis with absc ess formation. Melena had started the day before the operation, and sk in purpura developed on the 4th postoperative day. The serum factor XI II level was reduced to 48%. The administration of both steroids and f actor XIII concentrate alleviated the associated symptoms. Immunohisto chemical examination of the excised appendix revealed deposits of immu noglobulin A on the vascular wall.