Efficacy of tonsillectomy plus methylprednisolone pulse therapy for a child with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura nephritis.

Abstract

Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (HSP) is a systemic disorder characterized by a leukocytoplastic vasculitis involving small vessels with the deposition of immunoglobulin A (IgA) immune complexes. Renal involvement is the principal cause of morbidity and mortality in children with HSP. We report here an 11-year-old boy with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) accompanied by recurrent purpura and persistent nephropathy despite conventional therapy such as prednisolone, methylprednisolone pulse therapy and immunosuppressive agent (Mizoribine). The patient was treated with tonsillectomy plus methylprednisolone pulse therapy. This treatment decreased proteinuria, induced disappearance of microscopic hematuria, and improved renal pathological findings. Tonsillectomy plus methylprednisolone pulse is effective and useful therapy for some children with recurrent purpura and persistent nephropathy.

• Authors: Yukihiko Kawasaki, Kazuhide Suyama, Ayumi Matsumoto, Kei Takano, Koichi Hashimoto, Sigeo Suzuki, Junzo Suzuki, Hitoshi Suzuki, Mitsuaki Hosoya
• Journal: The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine (Tohoku J Exp Med) Vol. 211 Issue 3 Pg. 291-5 (Mar 2007) ISSN: 0040-8727 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 17347555 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Methylprednisolone

Topics

• Child
• Humans
• IgA Vasculitis (drug therapy, surgery)
• Kidney (pathology)
• Male
• Methylprednisolone (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Pulse Therapy, Drug
• Tonsillectomy