Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after allogeneic bone marrow...

Alveolar hemorrhage is an early complication after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and often associated with inflammatory pulmonary processes. We present a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage associated with BMT associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (BMT-TTP). An 18-years-old man with acute myeloid leukaemia (FAB; M5) underwent ABO incompatible BMT from his HLA-identical sister. On the 37th day of BMT, BMT-TTP was diagnosed with the occurrence of red cell fragmentation and rise in serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level with severe sudden decrease in hemoglobin and platelet levels. Cyclosporine A (CsA) was ceased and plasma infusion with plasma exchange was started. On the 42nd day of BMT, the diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage was made by the clinical, bronchoscopic and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid findings. Alveolar hemorrhage among patients with BMT-TTP has been scarce reported. These two complications may be regarded as related, as small vessel injury is a central feature in both and they may share aetiological and pathogenetic factors.