Immune thrombocytopenic purpura detected as a result of dental examination: A case report

Abstract

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune hematological disorder characterized by mucocutaneous bleeding. Although patients usually suffer from mild mucosal bleeding, visceral bleeding may occur depending on the severity of thrombocytopenia. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are of vital importance. In this case report, the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient diagnosed with ITP following acute oral bleeding will be presented. A 38‑year‑old male patient presented to the dentist with severe gingival bleeding for 2 days. Intraoral and extraoral examinations revealed spontaneous gingival bleeding, hemorrhagic bullae, and purpura. The patient was immediately referred to hematology with a prediagnosis of severe thrombocytopenia and laboratory investigations revealed a platelet count of 2.000/mm3. Treatment was started for the patient who had a high risk of life‑threatening bleeding. After treatment, the patient’s platelet count improved and all lesions healed. The high potential of early signs of ITP in the intraoral region makes it necessary for dentists to have knowledge about the mechanism and clinical manifestations of this disease. In this case report, the importance of dentists’ awareness of hematological diseases such as ITP in the early diagnosis of the disease and the prevention of possible complications are emphasized.