Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with a diffuse form of systemic sclerosis

This paper presents a patient with a rapidly progressive diffuse form of systemic sclerosis, in whom a clinical course thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) also developed. In spite of treatment with plasmapheresis, predonisolone, aspirin and vincristine, she died of pulmonary bleeding. From the analysis of four other reported cases of scleroderma with TTP and this case, the outcome of TTP seems to be closely related to clinical manifestations. It is suggested that a diffuse form of scleroderma with interstitional manifestations would develop a worse outcome; on the other hand, a limited form without interstitional manifestations has a successful outcome.