Pure red cell aplasia associated with essential thrombocythemia (a case report).

ABSTRACT

A rare case of erythroblastopenia associated with essential thrombocythemia (ET) is described. The patient had markedly elevated platelet count (5200 x 10(9)/1) and significant platelet dysfunction leading to extensive soft tissue and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. There was paucity of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow - a feature hitherto undescribed in ET. The thrombocytosis responded to well busulphan therapy but patient succumbed to fulminant infection consequent upon drug induced neutropenia.