Leukocytapheresis for the treatment of refractory Henoch-Schönlein purpura resistant to both prednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a childhood disorder, which is the vasculitis of systemic small vessels of unknown etiology. We encountered the dramatic efficacy of leukocytapheresis in a Japanese girl with refractory HSP resistant to combined prednisolone plus intravenous immunoglobulin therapy administration.