[Diagnostic difficulties in cases with spurious thrombocytopenia]

Pol Arch Med Wewn. 1999 Feb;101(2):151-3.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Pseudothrombocytopenia (PTP) is a rare laboratory phenomenon of falsely low platelet count in the presence of anticoagulant, most often EDTA. It may be confused with true thrombocytopenia, leading to the refusal of further invasive procedures and inappropriate diagnosis and treatment. PTP is due to presence of antiplatelet antibodies--agglutinins--usually temperature dependent. Here we present two cases of such spurious thrombocytopenia and discuss the differential diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies / analysis
  • Blood Platelets / immunology
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Edetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Platelet Count / drug effects
  • Thrombocytopenia / blood
  • Thrombocytopenia / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Edetic Acid