[Unusual digestive manifestations during rheumatoid purpura. Apropos of 2 cases]

We have observed two unusual forms of rheumatoid purpura with digestive symptoms in two young girls aged 16 years. In the first case, the signs of complete duodenal stenosis led to a surgical operation which led to the discovery of an infiltrated mesenteric band of adhesions containing numerous lymph nodes, with on the oedematous loops of small intestine, numerous ecchymoses. In the second case, the duodenal-jejunal radiological abnormalities suggested protein-losing enteropathy. especially as this patient like the first, had major hypoproteinemia without albuminuria. The Cr51 radioisotope test confirmed this quite exceptional diagnosis in this disease.