Case of an elderly man with associated Henoch-Schönlein purpura during treatment of acute pancreatitis.

A 70-year-old man with acute pancreatitis (acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis) was admitted to our department. Despite temporary improvement, the pancreatitis worsened on the 21st hospital day, forming a pancreatic pseudocyst, with infection in the cyst. After treatment with various antibiotics, a blood test on the 71st hospital day indicated improved inflammatory response despite continuing abdominal cramps. From the 75th hospital day, the patient developed purpura and arthralgia of the lower limbs, with melena and hematuria. Henoch-Schonlein purpura was diagnosed definitively by skin biopsy. Such a complication of acute pancreatitis with Henoch-Schönlein purpura is rare. This case also suggests that microvasculitis around the pancreas resulting from Henoch-Schonlein purpura might have prolonged the pancreatitis.