Management of intracerebral hemorrhage in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Report of four cases

Abstract

There has been little comment on the specific management of intracerebral bleeding occurring in patients suffering idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The authors present the cases of four children with intracerebral hemorrhage due to this coagulation disturbance. A plan of management is described based on this experience; it includes immediate control of cerebral edema, emergency splenectomy, supportive care with platelet transfusions and corticosteroids, cerebral angiogtaphy, and a definitive neurosurgical procedure. If necessary, the radiological investigation and surgical therapy can be performed with a single general anesthetic. Three of the patients have survived without major neurological sequelae.