E139

BRAIN - Thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura

Description
The brain shows, largely in grey matter, a number of minute haemorrhagic spots which can be differentiated with some difficulty, from small blood vessels. The brain appears to be swollen, showing compression of the ventricular system.
History
This man presented with thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura and at autopsy showed vascular occlusion in all organs examined with focal infarcts in the brain, heart and liver; this particular specimen does not include an area of infarction.