Relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in association with recurrent pancreatitis

Abstract

We report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with two episodes of acute pancreatitis 3 years apart both of which were complicated by the development of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). On each occasion the TTP was successfully managed with plasmapheresis. Although TTP has been reported as causing acute pancreatitis, the induction of TTP by pancreatitis is rare. As far as we are aware this is the first reported case of recurrent TTP in association with acute pancreatitis. It is possible that circulating pancreatic proteases may have induced the TTP by modifying von Willebrand factor enabling spontaneous platelet membrane receptor binding resulting in intravascular platelet aggregation.