JAPANESE JOURNAL OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

Vol. 53 No. 11                   2007

ISSN: 0021-5163      UBIC: 151-J

ABSTRACT

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disease that causes a decrease in the platelet count without the presence of preexisting disease or causative drugs. We report a case of severe ITP detected by abnormal gingival bleeding. The patient was a 77-year-old woman with no preexisting disease who visited our emergency room because of persistent gingival bleeding. Although bleeding had already stopped on arrival, we suspected a basal hemorrhagic disease. As her platelet count was 0.6 X 104/µ 1, we referred her to a hematologist. She was hospitalized immediately and transfused platelets. Bone marrow aspiration showed no abnormality. She was given a diagnosis of ITP. On the fifth day in the hospital, her platelet count dropped to 0.2 X 104/µ 1. Gingival bleeding recurred, but there was no severe abdominal or intracranial bleeding. After steroid and immunoglobulin therapy, the platelet count returned to the normal range. As ITP is occasionally discovered by abnormal gingival bleeding, accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment are necessary. Key words: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), gingival bleeding

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