Can colectomy cure immune thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with ulcerative colitis?

The association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) has been suggested by sporadic case reports. Prior reports have focused on the role of medical therapy and/or splenectomy for control of concurrent ITP and UC. We report a case of a patient with UC and ITP who was poorly controlled on maximal medical therapy for these two disorders and underwent a colectomy that cured both diseases.