ABSTRACT
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare disorder whose varied clinical manifestations result from the formation of platelet-rich thrombi within the microvasculature and consequent tissue ischaemia. This review will outline how, in the eighty years since its initial description, scientific discoveries have not only led to a deeper understanding of the fundamental pathophysiology of TTP, but have also contributed to advances in the clinical management of this condition. Current research in this field will hopefully provide the basis for the design and development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Subject(s)
Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic/physiopathology , Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic/therapy , Female , Humans , Male , Plasmapheresis , Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic/etiology , Recurrence , von Willebrand Factor/physiologyABSTRACT
We report three consecutive cases of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APML) that were diagnosed within a 4-month period. This unexpected sequence of events was made all the more notable following our discovery of co-incidental geographic, social, and occupational factors that linked them together. Our data strongly suggests that environmental agents may play a greater role in the aetiology of APML than is commonly perceived.
Subject(s)
Environmental Exposure , Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/diagnosis , Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/epidemiology , Adult , Cluster Analysis , Female , Friends , Humans , Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/blood , Male , Risk Factors , United Kingdom/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Acute leukaemia is encountered rarely in obstetric practice, occurring once in every 100,000 pregnancies. Such cases are usually diagnosed in the second and third trimesters. We describe a patient who developed a postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) as the presenting feature of acute promyelocytic leukaemia, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported previously.
