CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION Henoch-Schönlein Purpura Presenting With Orchitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature Patrick Davol, MD; Joseph Mowad, MD; Christen M. Mowad, MD GOAL To understand Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) to better treat patients with the condition OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this activity, dermatologists and general practitioners should be able to: 1. Discuss the clinical presentation of HSP. 2. Explain the presentation and diagnosis of HSP orchitis. 3. Describe the pathogenesis of HSP. CME Test on page 88. This article has been peer reviewed and is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing approved by Victor B. Hatcher, PhD, Professor of medical education for physicians. Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Albert Einstein College of Medicine designates Review date: January 2006. this educational activity for a maximum of 1 This activity has been planned and implemented category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies Recognition Award. Each physician should of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical claim only that credit that he/she actually spent Education through the joint sponsorship of Albert in the activity. Einstein College of Medicine and Quadrant This activity has been planned and produced in HealthCom, Inc. Albert Einstein College of Medicine accordance with ACCME Essentials. Drs. Davol, J. Mowad, and C.M. Mowad report no conflict of interest. The authors report no discussion of off-label use. Dr. Hatcher reports no conflict of interest. Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most symptoms, and nephritis are other common find- common cause of nonthrombocytopenic purpura ings typically associated with the cutaneous in children. The clinical picture is classically a findings. We present an unusual case of HSP cutaneous purpuric eruption of the legs and with scrotal swelling and orchitis. buttocks and infrequently the upper torso and Cutis. 2006;77:89-92. extremities. Arthritis, gastrointestinal tract Case Report Accepted for publication April 27, 2005. A 7-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Drs. Davol and J. Mowad are from the Department of Urology, and Department with a 1-day history of bilateral scrotal Dr. C.M. Mowad is from the Division of Dermatology, Geisinger rash, swelling, and pain of insidious onset. The pain Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania. Reprints: Christen M. Mowad, MD, Geisinger Medical Center had worsened progressively to the point that ambu- 14-06, 100 N Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17821 lation was difficult. The patient’s only medical his- (e-mail: [email protected]). tory was a circumcision as a newborn. There was no VOLUME 77, FEBRUARY 2006 89 Henoch-Schönlein Purpura history of hematuria, urinary tract infections, or trauma. The family reported the boy had been ill 10 days prior to presentation with intermittent fevers, nausea, emesis, and diarrhea, the latter of which had been bloody on at least one occasion. These symptoms had abated several days prior to his presentation to the Emergency Department. Results of a physical examination revealed an anxious boy in no acute distress. He was afebrile with a blood pressure level and respiratory rate within reference range. The abdomen was soft and without masses, rebound tenderness, or guarding. On the genitalia, there was an extensive beefy-red rash con- fined to the scrotal skin, with several areas of petechia overlying the suprapubic fat pad. Both testis were tender to palpation but were descended bilaterally and positioned normally. No inguinal her- nias were detected. Results of a cutaneous examina- tion revealed a diffuse purpuric rash over the lower extremities (Figure). The rash did not extend to the buttocks or above the waist. There were no bullae or vesicles. On further questioning, the patient and his parents admitted noticing the rash 2 days prior to presentation to the Emergency Department. Results of a urinalysis were within reference range. Results of a complete blood count revealed a hemoglobin level within reference range, but an ele- vated platelet count of 500ϫ103/␮L. The patient was sent for a scrotal ultrasound with Doppler flow studies, the results of which showed blood flow to both testes, edema of the scrotal wall, and hyperemia of the epididymides bilaterally. The diagnosis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura Cutaneous purpuric eruption on the lower extremity. (HSP) orchitis was made, and the patient was dis- charged on a therapeutic regimen of prednisolone 2 mg/kg per day, as well as instructions to elevate and apply ice packs to the scrotum. His pain reported in association with HSP; however, no spe- improved dramatically over the next 24 hours; by cific organism appears to be found causative in HSP.1 48 hours, the swelling and erythema had started to The overall incidence of HSP is estimated to be improve. He was seen in follow-up 2.5 weeks later, 9/100,000 people, and males are affected more often at which time the results of a repeat Doppler ultra- than females.1,2 HSP has been reported in patients sound of the testes showed no abnormalities. Results aged 6 months to 86 years, but most cases occur in of an examination revealed his scrotal rash and children (mean age, 6 years). Two thirds of affected tenderness had resolved completely, as did his lower children are younger than 8 years.1 There appears to extremity rash. be some seasonal variation, with more cases occur- ring in fall through spring and fewer cases reported Comment in summer.1,3 HSP, a vasculitic syndrome of the small blood vessels, The most common clinical presentation of HSP is the most common cause of nonthrombocytopenic is the cutaneous purpuric eruption that typically purpura in children. The etiology of HSP remains affects the legs and buttocks and, less frequently, the unknown; however, its occurrence has been reported upper extremities. Bullae and vesicles are seen less following upper respiratory tract infections. Elevated commonly. This eruption is the initial presenting levels of antistreptolysin O antibodies have been finding in more than half of patients with HSP.4 The associated anecdotally with HSP in a minority of second most common clinical symptom found in cases. Several other infectious processes have been HSP is arthritis, which can occur in 60% to 82% of 90 CUTIS® Henoch-Schönlein Purpura patients.3,4 Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract acute scrotal pain and HSP and found that most had with bleeding and abdominal pain occurs in 50% to epididymal enlargement, scrotal skin thickening, 75% of patients and can be life threatening if the hydrocele, and normal-appearing testes with blood gastrointestinal bleeding is severe.3,5 Intussusception flow that was either within reference range or is an uncommon manifestation of HSP.3,5 Renal increased. In addition, other authors have described involvement occurs in 20% to 50% of patients with gray-scale ultrasonographic findings of hypo- HSP. Nephritis is the only manifestation that can echogenicity and hypovascularity of the testicular result in a chronic disease, with 1% to 5% of pa- parenchyma, which may represent areas of necrotic tients developing end-stage renal disease. Uncom- foci.12,13 In these reports, patients found to have mon manifestations of HSP include scrotal disease, intact testicular blood flow did well with observa- pulmonary disease, carditis, and central nervous tion and, in some instances, with a therapeutic regi- system involvement.5 men of oral or intravenous steroids.11-13 Scrotal involvement is an uncommon manifes- Other uncommon genitourinary findings of HSP tation of HSP but has been reported to occur in include priapism, purpura of the penile shaft, hem- 3% to 38% of cases. It may include scrotal rash, orrhagic cystitis, renal colic, ureteral calcifications, swelling, and either bilateral or unilateral pain. bladder hematomas, and stenotic ureteritis.14-17 Allen and colleagues6 were the first to describe HSP typically is acute and self-limited, running scrotal involvement in HSP in a 1960 review that its course in about 4 weeks; however, 30% to 40% of focused on renal complications of the disease. In patients can experience recurrences.5 Short-term the case series of 131 patients, 5 boys had scrotal morbidity depends on the presence and severity of involvement: 2 with “swelling and hemorrhage of gastrointestinal tract involvement, and long-term the testes” and 3 with “marked scrotal hematomas.” prognosis primarily is dependent on the extent of Clark and Kramer7 reviewed the Mayo Clinic expe- renal involvement.5 Supportive therapy is all that rience in a 1986 report; in a series of 87 males diag- typically is necessary, though systemic steroids often nosed with HSP, scrotal involvement was seen are used to treat the associated arthritis, skin find- in 3.4%. Interestingly, orchitis has been the present- ings, and orchitis, when present. However, studies ing symptom of HSP in only a handful of reported have shown that these symptoms typically resolve cases.7 More commonly, the development of scrotal with or without the use of corticosteroids; addition- signs and symptoms parallels the development of ally, the use of corticosteroids does not have a sig- the classic purpuric rash. nificant effect on the duration of the disease or the The clinical presentation of HSP orchitis may frequency of recurrences.3,5,18,19 The use of high-dose mimic testicular torsion, which can often be a diffi- steroids in severe nephritis and gastrointestinal tract cult distinction to make based on clinical examina- hemorrhage is more established.3,5,18,19 tion findings alone. Several reports have described The pathogenesis of HSP results from a leukocy- patients diagnosed with HSP who also presented toclastic vasculitis due to immunoglobulin A (IgA) with signs of testicular torsion and were explored deposition in vessel walls. IgA also has been found surgically. In almost all cases, the patients were to be elevated in the serum of patients with HSP; found not to have torsion but rather to have vas- additionally, IgA circulating immune complexes culitic changes in the spermatic cord, testes, and have been found.