ACUTE THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA PRESENTING AS EXPRESSIVE APHASIA

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon and potential ly fatal disease that is characterized by endothelial cell abnormali t ies, platelet dysfunction, microangiopathic hemolysis, fever, neurolog i cat abnormalities, and renal involvement. Before the introduction of plasmapharesis in the 1970s, TTP was fatal, This case report is prese nted to illustrate how subtly TTP can present, to discuss the updated criteria for TTP diagnosis, and to emphasize that with effective treat ment now available, accurate and early diagnosis is essential to decre ase morbidity and mortality. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Compa ny.