More on false thrombocytopenias: EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia associated with a congenital platelet release defect.
We report herein the case of a 54-year-old woman with a moderate bleeding tendency, diagnosed as an EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia associated with a congenital platelet release defect. The patient, at the age of 12, had a misleading diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and all the recurrent bleeding problems she had during her life were referred to that disease. The recent correct diagnosis of a false thrombocytopenia stimulated further laboratory investigation on the cause of the patient's bleeding tendency with the consequent identification of a congenital platelet deficiency of the arachidonic acid pathway. This finding is of relevant importance for the management of the patient in case of elective surgery or hemorrhagic emergency.
Silvestri
F
F
Division of Haematology, University Hospital, Udine, Italy.
Masotti
A
A
Pradella
P
P
Zaja
F
F
Barillari
G
G
De Marco
L
L
D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D004492:Edetic Acid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis*
D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D004492:Edetic Acid