SARCOIDOSIS WITH THROMBOCYTOPENIA: REPORT OF A CASE

Abstract

The occurrence of splenomegaly and neutropenia has been previously discussed. A case is reported of diffuse sarcoidosis with splenic involvement of long duration in a 15 yr. old female with absolute thrombocytopenia and death from massive intra-cerebral hemorrhage before splenectomy could be performed. At autopsy, massive involvement of the spleen by sarcoid was noted. There was also complete maturation arrest of megakaryocytes. The role of the spleen in platelet suppression is discussed in the light of present knowledge. The need for emergency splenectomy in thrombocytopenia due to splenic sarcoidosis is emphasized.