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Thrombocytopenia in Gaucher's Disease
- DAVID GREEN, M.D.;
- HECTOR A. BATTIFORA, M.D.;
- ROY T. SMITH, M.D.; and
- ENNIO C. ROSSI, M.D.
Abstract
A 63-year-old man with Gaucher's disease presented with bleeding secondary to thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow examination showed many typical Gaucher cells and adequate numbers of megakaryocytes. A 51Cr platelet survival study indicated a markedly shortened half-disappearance time of 0.8 days and a major uptake of the 51Cr label by the spleen. After splenectomy the platelet count rose to normal levels, and a repeat survival study showed a normal half-disappearance time of 5.1 days. Electron-microscopic analysis of the spleen disclosed intact platelets within the Gaucher cells. These studies indicate that the spleen plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the thrombocytopenia by virtue of its large content of Gaucher cells.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Hematology Section, Department of Medicine, and the Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to David Green, M.D., Northwestern University Medical School, 303 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611
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- Received October 13, 1970.
- Accepted December 22, 1970.
