Esophageal involvement in adult-onset Schönlein-Henoch purpura.

Schönlein-Henoch purpura (SHP) is a systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology, involving skin, joint, GI tract, and kidney. It frequently occurs in childhood and is relatively rare in adults. In general, SHP is a benign and self-limited disorder. 1 Syh JL Jing LH Henoch-Schönlein purpura in Chinese children and adults. Asian Pacific J Allergy Immunol. 1998; 16: 21-25 PubMed Google Scholar , 2 Ilona SS Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 1994; 6: 25-31 Crossref PubMed Scopus (72) Google Scholar , 3 Ricardo B Victor MMT Yicente RV Miguel GF Miguel AGG Henoch-Schönlein purpura in adulthood and childhood. Am Coll Rheumatol. 1997; 40: 859-864 Google Scholar , 4 Tizard EJ Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Arch Dis Child. 1999; 80: 380-383 Crossref PubMed Scopus (112) Google Scholar Although GI involvement in SHP is well known, manifesting as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, diarrhea, and melena, the esophagus is rarely involved. 5 Sakagami S Noda H Koshino Y Shinpo M Chiyo H Yamazaki T et al. Gastrointestinal tract lesions in a case of Schönlein-Henoch purpura associated with melena and review of 32 cases in Japan. Gastroenterological Endosc. 1988; 30: 1250-1254 Google Scholar This is a report of 2 adult cases of SHP with esophageal involvement.