[Thrombopenic purpura revealing Hodgkin's disease].

The authors report a case of Hodgkin's disease at the subdiaphragmatic II B b stage with cell type III, revealed by thrombopenic purpura. Laparotomy and splenectomy confirmed the invasion of the spleen whereas there was no clinical splenomegaly and splenic radio-isotope scan was normal. The course is at present favourable, the purpura has been treated by corticotherapy then splenectomy, and the disease has been brought under control by classical treatment (cobalt radiotherapy and chemotherapy). The authors then discuss eight other cases in the world literature. Splenectomy is of dual interest for the assessment of Hodgkin's disease, on the one hand, and for the treatment of thrombopenic purpura on the other hand.