[A case of transient cortical blindness complicated by Henoch-Schönlein purpura with bronchiectasis]

A 19-year-old woman had been treated for bronchiectasis since she was born. In October 1995, she was diagnosed as Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and HSP nephritis with the findings as follows; palpable petechial rash of legs, abdominal pain, arthralgias, and proteinuria. The administration of oral prednisolone was started, the clinical symptoms except for proteinuria was disappeared. However, nephrotic syndrome was continued despite the therapy of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse, various immunosuppressive drugs and warfarin. In February 1998, she was admitted to our hospital because of pneumonia. Several days later, her pneumonia improved on treatment with antibiotics, but she suddenly developed transient cortical blindness and acute renal failure. A provisional diagnosis of hypertensive encephalopathy and cerebral edema related to vasculitis was made, and she was treated with nifedipine, Glycelo, and high dose immunoglobulin. After the treatment, her vision and renal function had improved. She is a rare case associated with transient cortical blindness, bronchiectasis, and HSP.