Renal thrombotic microangiopathies/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with primary Sjögren's syndrome complicated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Rheumatol Int. 2013 Jan;33(1):227-30. doi: 10.1007/s00296-010-1569-0. Epub 2010 Jul 22.

Abstract

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but potentially lethal condition requiring rapid recognition, diagnosis, and initiation of therapy. We experienced a case of a 61-year-old woman with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) complicated with severe renal TMA/TTP following IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). She was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of hypergammaglobulinema, acute renal failure, and severe thrombocytopenia. She had been diagnosed with pSS 13 years prior to admission. Histological examination of her kidney revealed fibrin thrombi in the glomeruli and arterioles, a finding that is consistent with TMA/TTP. The patient was subsequently treated with plasma exchange, which resulted in a successful outcome without any complications. This rare case suggests that it is important to make a therapeutic decision based on appropriate and prompt pathological diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / complications*
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / complications*
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / diagnosis
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / therapy
  • Plasma Exchange / methods*
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / complications*
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / diagnosis
  • Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / therapy
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / therapy
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / complications*
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / diagnosis
  • Thrombotic Microangiopathies / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome