What is spurious thrombocytopenia or pseudothrombocytopenia?

Q: What is spurious thrombocytopenia or pseudothrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia that results from platelet clumping in vitro . An in vitro artifact with no clinical consequence. Usually caused by EDTA-dependent antibodies, but may also occur with poor specimen collection and/or handling. This patient was a 67-year-old man with chronic kidney disease. Note the significant platelet clumping (arrows) on a blood smear from a sample obtained in EDTA-containing tube. Blood obtained this way yielded a falsely low platelet count ( pseudothrombocytopenia) which was corrected when blood was taken in a heparin-containing tube (50x).

Q: What is spurious thrombocytopenia or pseudothrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia that results from platelet clumping in vitro . An in vitro artifact with no clinical consequence. Usually caused by EDTA-dependent antibodies, but may also occur with poor specimen collection and/or handling. This patient was a 67-year-old man with chronic kidney disease. Note the significant platelet clumping (arrows) on a blood smear from a sample obtained in EDTA-containing tube. Blood obtained this way yielded a falsely low platelet count ( pseudothrombocytopenia) which was corrected when blood was taken in a heparin-containing tube (50x).

By William Aird

What is spurious thrombocytopenia or pseudothrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia that results from platelet clumping in vitro.
An in vitro artifact with no clinical consequence.
Usually caused by EDTA-dependent antibodies, but may also occur with poor specimen collection and/or handling.

This patient was a 67-year-old man with chronic kidney disease. Note the significant platelet clumping (arrows) on a blood smear from a sample obtained in EDTA-containing tube. Blood obtained this way yielded a falsely low platelet count ( pseudothrombocytopenia) which was corrected when blood was taken in a heparin-containing tube (50x).

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