Permanent neurological complications in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

According to previous clinical studies, the neurological manifestations observed in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are considered to be transient. The introduction of plasma therapy in 1977 as major treatment modality for TTP has changed the prognosis of the disease. In a clinical survey of 38 patients with TTP who received plasma therapy, we have observed five patients who developed permanent neurological deficits despite their prompt recovery from TTP. In this study, we describe the new complication of TTP and summarize the neurological manifestations observed in these patients during their first episode of TTP and during the relapses, which occurred in 12 of them.