Ulcerative colitis and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Inflammatory bowel disease is often associated with hematologic abnormaliti es such as anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytosis. We report for the firs t time an unusual case of ulcerative colitis complicated by thrombotic thro mbocytopenic purpura. Severe lower,gastrointestinal bleeding resolved with subtotal colectomy, but the thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura proved unre sponsive to medical treatment. Splenectomy and completion proctectomy were performed, ultimately resulting in a successful outcome.