ACUTE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA HEMORRHAGICA WITH LYMPHOCYTOSIS; REPORT OF A CASE

Abstract

A 20-yr. old white [female] student suddenly developed acute thrombocytopenic purpura with a grossly abnormal blood smear, showing as many as 68 per cent "pathological" cells. This case shares with those previously reported by George R. Minot (Am. J. Med. Sci., 1936, exeii, 445) the absence of initial anemia, the profound thrombocytopenia, the "abnormal lymphocytosis," the favorable clinical course following blood transfusions, the complete clinical recovery, and undemonstrable etiological antecedents. Since this entity may be readily confused with acute leukemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, the importance of diagnosis is presented, both from the standpoint of the urgency of transfusions, and the avoidance of splenectomy.