Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the eyelid: a case report and review of literature.

Primary extramedullary plasmacytomas of the eyelid are rare with only five other cases reported in the literature. A 43-year-old Chinese man presented with painless swelling of the left lower eyelid that developed over the past two years. An incisional biopsy and histopathological analysis of the lesion revealed a primary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the eyelid. The tumour was completely excised. There has been no tumour recurrence over the last five years. This tumour should be among those considered when encountering an atypical adnexal lesion. A systemic examination, relevant clinical investigations, as well as life-long monitoring are essential for these patients due to the strong association of extramedullary plasmacytoma with multiple myeloma. When a lesion can be completely resected, surgery provides similar results to radiotherapy.

An unusual presentation of gestational thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia is classically defined as a platelet count of less than 150 000/µl. Counts from 100 000 to 150 000/µl are considered mildly depressed, 50 000 to 100 000/µl moderately depressed, and less than 50 000/µl severely depressed. Thrombocytopenia occurs in about 10% of pregnant women. Gestational thrombocytopenia (GT) is a diagnosis of exclusion and considered the most prevalent cause of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. GT accounts for almost 75% of cases of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. The cause of GT is unclear, although existing studies denote the possibility of accelerated platelet consumption and the increased plasma volume during pregnancy. The presence of antiplatelet antibodies is not specific to GT. The degree of thrombocytopenia in GT is usually mild to moderate, usually remaining greater than 70 000/µl. Patients are asymptomatic with no evidence of bleeding and rarely preconception history of thrombocytopenia. The platelet count returns to normal within 2-12 weeks post partum. We wish to report a unique case of GT presenting as blurred vision due to retinal hemorrhages.