Purpura Flashcards
What is purpura
Rash of purple spots on the skin casued by internal bleeding from small blood vessels which do not blanch
Two types of purpuric eruptions
Thrombocytopenic or non-thrombocytopenic
Eg of thrombocytopenic purpuric rashses
Meningococcal septicaemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Eg of non-thrombocytopenic purpuric rashes
Trauma, drugs (steroids), aged skin, vasculitis (HSP)
History of meningococal septicaemic rash
Acute onset, symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia. systemically unwell
Description of meningococcal septicaemic rash
Petechiae, echymoses, haemorrhagic bullae and /or tissue necrosis
Diagnosis of meningococcal septicaemia
Bloods and LP
Management of meningococcal septicaemia
Abx
History of DIC purpuric rash
History of trauma, malignancy, sepsis, obstetric complications, transfusions or liver failure
Common sites for DIC
Spnotaneous bleeding from ear, nose, throat, GI tract, respitatory tract and wound site
Description of lesions in DIC
Petechiae, echymoses, haemorrhagic bullae and/or tissue necrosis
Diagnosis of DIC
Bloods and clotting screen
Management of DIC
Treat underlying cause, transfuse for coagulation deficiencies, anticoags for thrombosis
History of vasculitis
Painful lesions, found on dependant areas such as legs, buttocks, flanks, systemically unwell
Lesions in vasculitis
Palpable purpura,often painful
