Henoch–Schönlein purpura as a rare cause of an acute abdomen

Abstract

A 52-year-old man presented with a purpuric rash affecting his legs and hypertension. He was diagnosed with Henoch–Schönlein purpura and discharged with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Three weeks later, he presented again with loss of appetite and vomiting before developing abdominal pain with pyrexia of 38.5°C and rigors. On examination, he was hypotensive with a distended abdomen and a national early warning score of 6. Computed tomography revealed enteropathy of Henoch–Schönlein purpura. The patient deteriorated and went for an emergency laparotomy, where 30cm of ischaemic small bowel was resected.