Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: report of case

TTP is an acute, usually fatal disease of unknown etiology. Diagnostic confirmation of the disease requires histologic demonstration of the deposition of hyaline thrombi within the lumens of arterioles and capillaries in the absence of vasculitis. The clinical, laboratory, and histological manifestations of TTP were reviewed and a case was reported in which a gingival biopsy specimen was used to confirm the diagnosis. Emphasis is placed on the rapidity and ease of gingival biopsy and the possibility of earlier institution of therapy.