title: The importance of the peripheral blood film in systemic amyloidosis.
abstract: A peripheral blood film reflecting hyposplenism is an important finding. Not only does it indicate the risk to the patient of fulminant sepsis requiring preventative action but it may also direct further investigations towards an underlying medical condition. The occurrence of hyposplenism in systemic amyloidosis has been described. We present three cases which demonstrate this association and highlight the value of the peripheral blood film.
authors.affiliation: Meadow House Hospice, Southall, London, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: O'Hea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology