Author/Authors :
Ghorbani, Mohammad Department of Hematology and Blood Banking - Gonabad University of Medical Sciences - Gonabad, Iran , Niazkar, Hamid Reza Gonabad University of Medical Sciences - Gonabad, Iran , Mahmoudi, Reza Gonabad University of Medical Sciences - Gonabad, Iran , Abbasnezhad, Abbasali Gonabad University of Medical Sciences - Gonabad, Iran , Ejtehadi, Mohammad Mehdi Laboratory technical manager - Shahid Hasheminejad Hospital - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences - Mashhad, Iran
Abstract :
Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder
characterized by isolated thrombocytopenia and mucocutaneous bleeding. The
former has a primary role in the diagnosis and treatment of ITP. One of the
leading causes of miscounted platelets in patients who suffer from ITP is giant
platelets which may indicate factitiously a severe false thrombocytopenia. Here,
a case of macrothrombocytopenia is presented in an ITP patient. Giant platelets
of this patient not only resulted in miscounting platelets but also falsely increased
reading of RBC counts. By counting platelets through peripheral blood smear
and hemocytometer, the patient was saved from an unnecessary splenectomy.
Keywords :
Factitious thrombocytopenia , Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura , Giant platelet , Macrothrombocytopenia
