CASE REPORT

Adult T-cell lymphoma mimicking Henoch--Schönlein purpura

Authors

Rie Tabata¹, Chiharu Tabata⁴, Shunzo Namiuchi¹, Makoto Terada¹, Ryoji Yasumizu², Tomoko Okamoto³ and Tomoko Nagai¹

1. Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo Prefectural Tsukaguchi Hospital, 6-8-17 Minamitsukaguchi, Amagasaki Hyogo, 661-0012, Japan
2. Division of Pathology, Hyogo Prefectural Tsukaguchi Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
3. Department of Gastroenterology, Hyogo Prefectural Tsukaguchi Hospital, Hyogo, Japan
4. HMRO, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Received:

25 July 2006

Accepted:

27 September 2006

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Abstract

We report a male patient with adult T-cell lymphoma, who was initially diagnosed clinically as having Henoch--Schönlein purpura (HSP) with abdominal pain and specific purpura. Adult T-cell lymphoma-like cells were minimal and abdominal lymph nodes were transiently swollen, and the symptoms were improved by supportive management. Although the clinical course was compatible with HSP, the histological examination revealed infiltration of lymphocytes rather than neutrophils. Later he developed lymphoma and was treated with chemotherapy. This rare case suggests the importance of skin biopsies to seek the underlying pathology in adult HSP.

Key words

Adult T-cell lymphoma - Henoch--Schönlein purpura