[Muscular haematoma in Henoch-Schönlein purpura].

Introduction: Henoch-Schonlein purpura is one of the most frequent systemic vasculitis in children. In adults, muscle involvement is extremely rare and not very well characterized. We report a case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura with severe skin and renal involvement in witch multiple intramuscular haematoma leaded to severe anaemia. Histological examination confirms the muscle localization of the disease.

Exegesis: A 68 years old man treated by oral anticoagulation for multiple venous thrombosis, was admitted with necrotic vasculitis of the skin, abdominal pain and segmental IgA glomerulopathy. The diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura was rapidly made and intensive steroid therapy started. After rapid improvement, a haemorrhagic shock due to voluminous intramuscular haematoma was diagnosed by MRI. Histological examination of the muscle, confirms the localization of the disease.

Conclusion: Intramuscular haematomas are very uncommon in Henoch-Schonlein purpura. There are usually a consequence of muscular immune complex vasculitis. In our patient, high dose corticosteroid was not unable to control the disease.