Hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenstrom is characterized by recurrent episodes of petechiae, hypergammaglobulinemia, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the presence of rheumatoid factor, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis or mild lymphocytic perivasculitis. There is a primary type and a secondary type which is associated with other autoimmune diseases. We present a csae of a 48 year-old female with hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenstrom. She showed characteristic clinical, histopathological and laboratory findings consistent with hypergammaglobulinema purpura of Waldenstrom. Although there was a decrease in the Schimer test, we couldt den ostrate an association with Sjogrens syndrome. We think that this case may be a secondary type and needs a follow-up study.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Blood Sedimentation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypergammaglobulinemia ; Middle Aged ; Purpura ; Purpura, Hyperglobulinemic* ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; Vasculitis

Hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenstrom is a distinct syndrome consisting of recurrent episodes of purpura, elevated serum r-globulins, elevated erythrocyteed rnentation rate, and mild anemia. This disease has been divided into the prirnary type without an uncerlying disease, and the secondary type with a known underlying disease. We diagnosed a hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenstram in a 53-year-old woman who presented sudden onset of showers of purpuric macules and petechiae of 24 hours duration involving her lower extremities with a 10-rnonth history. She showed characteristic laboratory findings consistent with those of hypergammiglobulnemic purpura of Waldenstrorri and also showed positive results of antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor. We tried to find out if there we any associated underlying disases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or Sjogren synirorne through various tests but faile it find any. We concluded she showed a primary type of hypergarnmhglobulinemic purpura of Waldcnstrorn.
Anemia ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Middle Aged ; Purpura ; Purpura, Hyperglobulinemic* ; Rheumatoid Factor