COVID-19 complicated by immune thrombocytopaenic purpura and internal jugular vein thrombosis

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Jul 20;14(7):e243680. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-243680.

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman who had tested positive for COVID-19 in the community 5 days prior to admission presented with new onset severe headache and mild shortness of breath. She had an acute reduction in her platelet counts from 153×10⁹/L to 5×10⁹/L. She was diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia purpura and after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, her platelet count increased to 15×10⁹/L. Due to nonresolving headache, she had a magnetic resonance venogram, which showed bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis. She was discharged from hospital and followed up in Haematology and Neurology clinics. Her platelet count returned to normal range 7 days later. She was commenced on anticoagulation for thrombosis.

Keywords: COVID-19; haematology (incl blood transfusion); thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Jugular Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* / complications
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* / diagnosis
  • Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic* / drug therapy
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Thrombosis*