Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome secondary to pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a rare (approximately 2.0%) complication of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS). The opposite finding has rarely been reported. We present a case of an 18 years old obese male with alcohol associated pancreatitis (amylase 840 IU/L) who three days after onset, as the pancreatitis subsided (amylase 341 U/L), developed TTP/HUS. The TTP/HUS was marked by oliguria and severe renal failure (creatinine 1,326 mumol/L), was treated with daily plasma exchanges, obtained a complete response, and recovered renal function (creatinine 115 mumol/L). Similarly, in six of seven other cases from the medical literature the TTP/HUS occurred within 2-3 days of the onset of pancreatitis.