A rare complication of Henoch-Schönlein Syndrome : gastrointestinal infarction and perforation

We want to report an intestinal perforation with intes- tinal ischemia as a result of fatal complication of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP). A 39 year old male patient was admitted with 5 days history of abdominal pain, melena and vomiting. Abdominal pain was severe and colicky with vomiting. The patient had respiratory tract infection 2 weeks before admission. He had also edema and pain in both ankles a week before admission. On the next day of admission petechial rashes emerged on posterior of both legs and in front of each tibias. Biopsy samples from rashes were taken. Meanwhile, abdominal, knee and ankle pain worsened. The first laboratory tests revealed the following results : white blood cells 20.4 × 1000/dl, haemoglobin 10.2 gr/dl, thrombocytes count 83 × 1000/L. Abdominal examination disclosed diffuse ten- derness and rebound tenderness. There was severe dis- tension in the abdomen with reduced bowel sounds.