[A case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura]

Thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura is a comparatively rare disease and little is known about its aetiopathogenesis. Once almost invariably negative, the prognosis has been changed by the introduction of plasmapheresis. A particularly complex clinical case is described and a number of conclusions are drawn from it: 1) there is no criterion for opting for any particular therapeutic approach; 2) evaluation of the clinical response is the only criterion for monitoring the effectiveness of ongoing treatment; 3) plasmapheresis is proposed as the treatment of choice; 4) vincristine is a useful alternative in the treatment of recalcitrant cases.