Haematology Flashcards
Anaemia PC and O/E
PC - asymptomatic, can be tired, SOB, chest pain and in high output cardiac failure if severe. Can potentiate angina and claudication
O/E - mucosal pallour, tachycardia
koilonychia - long standing iron deficiency
jaundice ?haemolysis
peripheral oedema or hyperdynamic circulation - HF
Lymphoid progenitors
B cells maturing in bone marrows, T cells or NK cells formed from T cell progenitors in the bone marrow
Reticulocytes
Young RBC should comprise <2% of the red cells. Gives a guide to erythroid activity in the BM
High in times of haemorrhage or haemolysis
Low = BM failure or haemtinic deficiency
Myeloid progenitors
Granulocyte-macrophage progenitor = differentiates to neutrophils, dendritic cells and eosinophils
Megokaryocyte progenitor = Platelets
Erythroblast = RBC
Inappropriate EPO production
RCC
Microcytic anaemia causes
MCV <80
Thalassemia, Iron deficiency, sideroblastic anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia
Increased loss = menorrghia, GI loss - haemorrhage
Low intake = elderly with poor diet
Malabsorption = Crohns and coeliac
Iron absorption
Cells in duodenal crypt can sense the bodys iron requirements allowing transport of iron across the apical membrane of the mucosal cells in the SI. Here it will stay stored in ferritin to be lost when the mucosal cells are shed or absorped into the plasma.
Hepcidin is a polypeptide which regulates the iron transport out of the cells binding to ferroportin and causing its internalisation and destruction. Therefore in low iron states such as anaemia hepcidin will be downregulated, Iron is transported in the blood bound to transferrin
O/E iron deficient anameia
Kolinychia = spoon shaped nails
Angular stomatitis
Plummer-Vinson syndrome = dysphagia, glossitis, iron deficient anaemia and oesophageal webs
Iron deficient anaemia Hx
NSAIDs - ?GI bleed, dietary iron intake = meat/cereal
PR bleeding - IBD, haemorrhoids, CRC
Females = ask about periods and menorrhagia
Ivx Iron deficient anaemia
High total iron binding capacity
Low ferritin and transferrin saturations
Low MCV
On blood film = poikilocytosis = variation in shape
Mx iron deficient anaemia
Find the cause
Iron supplements - ferrous sulphate 200mg TDS take when fasting
SE = nausea, constipation
Macrocytic anaemia causes
MCV >96
Megaloblastic - B12 deficiency, folate deficiency
Normoblastic - hypothyroid, chronic alcohol, liver disease
Causes of all anaemia
Reduced production = haematinic deficiency = B12, folate, iron and pernicious anaemia. BM failure, CKD and anaemia of chronic disease
Haemolyis
i) Intrinsic = sickle cell, G6PD, hereditary spherocytosis
ii) Extrinsic = AI haemolytic anaemia, DIC, TTP, HUS, malaria
Blood loss = haemorrhage, menorrhagia, GI tract = CRC, PUD, HHT, varices
Megaloblastic microcytic anaemia
Presence of erythroblasts in BM with delayed nuclear maturation due to defective DNA synthesis. Large immature nuclei
On blood film = hypersegemented polymorphs with oval shaped.
B12
Absorbed from the gut by binding to intrinsic factor produced by parietal cells presents insidiously with peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, SOB. Is linked to NO abuse
Pernicious anaemia
AI atrophic gastritis which leads to destruction of gastric parietal cells hence reduced intrinsic factor production. This leads to B12 deficiency and a microcytic anaemia.
Seen in elderly . Linked to other AI conditions such as thyroid disease, addison and vitiligo. Increased risk of gastric cancer. Progressive insidious onset with parathesia of extremities
Inx - parietal cell Ab +ve 90% sensitive, intrinsic factor ab only present in 50% but are specific for the condition.
Folate deficiency
Found in green veg, nuts, liver absorbed in the proximal jejunum.
Poor intake due to diet, GI malabsorption
Drugs such as methotrexate, trimethoprim and phenytoin
Increased use = pregnancy
Subacute combined degeneration of the spina cord
Due to B12 deficient. PC with mixed UMN and LMN signs, spastic paresis, ataxia, +ve rombergs, brisk knee reflex and absent ankles. Lose vibration and proprioception early
Due to degeneration of the dorsal columns - pain and temperature are still intact.
Mx = hydroxocobalamin 1mg IM
Normoblastic macrocytic anaemia
Hypothyroidism, chronic alcohol, lover disease
Aplastic anemia, myeloma and myelodysplasia
Crucially = normal vit B12 and folate
Normocytic anaemia
CKD, anaemia of chronic disease, myeloma, haemolytic anaemia, BM infiltration or fibrosis
Myeloma
Malignant disease of BM plasma cells leading to mass proliferation of monoclonal Ab. Often IgG or IgA
This leads to IL-6 production, inhibiting osteoblasts, therefore unopposed osteoclast activity leads to lytic bone lesions and high Ca2+
PC myeloma
Osteolytic bone lesions leading to # - spinal cord compression due to vertebral collapse
Hyperviscosity syndrome - headache, visual changes
Renal impairment due to build up of light chains and hypercalcemia - ATN
Recurrent infections due to neutropenia
Epidimology of myelomas
Increased risk in the elderly, afrocarribean and males
Inx myeloma
diagnosis = serum free light chains or urine electrophoresis, biopsy >10% clonal plasma cells
Normocytic anaemia
high Ca2+ , low PTH, U+E derangement, increased total protein
BM infiltration may = pancytopenia
CXR = lytic lesions - peppepot skull, vertebral collapse
Mx myeloma
Prevent complications i.e. bisphosphantes for hypercalcamiea, plasmapheresis for hyperviscosity.
Epo for anaemia, good hydration
Mx of pathological #
Chemo = lenalidomide + steroids. Then BMT
Polycythemia
> 55% Hb
Causes =
1 - polycythemia vera
2 - hypoxia = epo increase - athletes, altitude, smokers, chronic lung disease
inappropriate epo - RCC, HCC, steriods - androgens
relative - stress, dehydration
Thrombocytosis
Platelets >450
1 = myeloproliferative disorder
2 = reactive - Infection, inflammation, surgery, IBD, RA
Myeloproliferative neoplasms
Clonal stem cell disorders characterised by the uncontrolled proliferation of one of the erythroid, myeloid or megakaryocyte lines
Polycythemia vera
Excessive proliferation of erythroid, myeloid and megakaryocytes. 95% of suffers have a JAK2 mutation which allows proliferation without epo stimulation
JAK2
Cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase that transduces signals from epo. Its discovery allows easy diagnosis and a target for treatment
PC polycythmia vera
Insidious usually pt >60y/o with tiredness, headache and visual disturbance
Hyper viscosity syndorme = headaches, visual disturbance and tinnitus - increased VTE risk
Puritis post warm water exposure
Erythromelagia - burning pain in hands and feet combined with a reddish/blue discolouration of the skin
Gout
Complications of PV
Huge increase in VTE risk = stroke, DVT, MI,PE
Gout due to increased cell turnover
PUD due to increased histamine levels
Splenomegaly - hypersplenism (Not seen in 2ndary)
Inv PV
JAK2 +ve 95%
high RBC, WCC, plts, high Hb
low EPO
Biopsy = hypercellularity, with prominent myeloid and erythroid proliferation
Mx PV
Aspirin 75mg OD, Venesection to keep PCV <0.45
Hydroxycarbamide used for poorly controlled disease
30% = myelofibrosis
Pseudopolycythemia
Due to low plasma volume
Acute = shock, burns, dehydration
Chronic = diuretics
Essential thrombocythemia
Rare condition = overproduction of platelets. Usually isolated thrombocytopenia with plts >600
PC ET
Incidental finding. May present with erythromelgia, with a thromboembolic event, warm of the extremities or bleeding (less common)
Inv and Mx ET
Platelets >450 with absence of a 2nardy cause. JAK2 mutation in 50%.
Mx - Platelets 400-1000 = aspirin 75mg OD
>1000 = hydroxycarbimide
Primary myelofibrosis
Clonal proliferation of stem cells and abnormal myeloid cells in the BM, spleen and the liver. It can develop late secondary to PV or ET
Fibrosis is due to hyperplasia of megakaryocytes which release fibroblast growth factor such as PDGF. This leads to replacement of the BM tissue with connective and fibrotic tissue. Gradually will lead to pancytopenia
PC myelofibrosis
Massive splenomegaly due to extramedullary haematopoeisis. Lethargy, weakness, wt loss and fever. Bruising and easy bleeding
Inv myelofibrosis
BM biopsy = dry tap due to fibrosis
50% JAK2 +ve, tear drop polkilocytes
Initially high WCC and platelets progression to pancytopenia
Mx myelofibrosis
No cure - 5yr survival
Ruxolitinib
BM failure
Pancytopenia = aneamia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
On biopsy - hypocellular = fibrois/aplastic
hypercellular = Invasion of marrow = cancer
Causes of pancytopenia
Increased destruction = severe sepsis, hypersplenism
Reduced production = BM failure
Aplastic anaemia, severe megaloblastic anaemia, drugs-chemo or radiotherapy, BM infiltration = leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma or 2ndary mets.
PC pancytopenia
Anaemia - tiredness, SOB, angina, pale tachycardia, high output HF
Neutropenia - huge infection risk of bacterial infections leading to uncontrollable sepsis, fungal infections = intracerebral abcess, reactivation of shingles
Thrombocytopenia = bleeding from gums, nose, petichae, purpura. Increased risk of GI and cerebral haemorrhage.
Assessment pancytopenia
Check B12/folate, rule out medications - clozapine, phenytoin, chemotherapy
USS to check size of spleen
BM biopsy - hypo vs hypercellular
Definition of neutropenic sepsis
Neutrophils <1.0
Pyrexia >38 for 1hr or >38.3 once
Seen commonly in those on immunosuppressive therapy and with BM failure
Crucial to sent cultures and start broad spectrum Abx within 1hr. Hunt for the source
Aplastic anemia
Pancytopenia + hypocellular bone marrow. Due to a reduction of pluripotent stem cells and a fault in the remaining ones meaning they are unable to repopulate the BM.
Present 15-24 and >60y/o
Causes of aplastic anaemia
60% idiopathic possibly due to HBV/HCV, AI
35% drug induced = chemotherapy, benzene, gold, penicillinamine, phenytoin, carbamazepine, ionising radiation
5% inherited = Fanconi’s anaemia
PC and Inv aplastic anemia
Anaemia, bleeding and infection
Inv = pancytopenia, no reticulocytes, hypo cellular BM
Mx aplastic anaemia
Intensive chemotherapy. Supportive and prophylactic ABx
BM transplant -
Autologous stem cells from pt. Radiation destroys leukaemia/BM
Allogenic HLA matched donor
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
14% of leukaemias. In the family of myeloproliferative disorders. Exclusively a disease of adults 40-60
Increased and unregulated growth of the myeloid cells in the BM. 97% have philadelphia chromosome
Philadelphia chromosome
9:22 cr reciprocal translocation.BCR gene from cr 22 fused with the ABL gene on cr 9
When translated has enhanced tyrosine kinase and phosphorylation activity compared to normal protein. This gives a cascade of proteins that increase cell division
PC CML
Asymptomatic for long periods of time
Wt loss, fever, night sweats, hyper viscosity syndrome
Hepatosplenomegaly - bruising and bleeding
O/E - pallour = anaemia, massive splenomegaly,
If in blast phase - lymphadenopathy, extra medullary tissue deposit
Invx CML
increased WCC, basophils
platelets low or normal, may = normocytic anaemia
BM = hypercellularity with FISH for 9:22 translocation
Mx CML
Chronic phase <5% myeloblasts
Accelerated 10-19% myeloblasts
Blast phase - AML >20% with large clustered on BM
Imatinib - tyrosine kinase inhibitor
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
Most common leukaemia in the western world. >70y/o 2:1 male to female ratio. Due to the clonal expansion of small B cells and their accumulation in the BM
PC CLL
Painless lymphadenopathy, fever, recurrent infection due to function leukopenia, anaemia
Wt loss, night sweat and fever
Complications - BM failure, infections often EBV, HZV, Richter syndrome - CLL to large B cell lymphoma
AI haemolysis
Inv CLL
High WCC, lymphocytosis > 5x109
BM - hyper cellular mass lymphocyte infiltration
Blood film - smudge cells
Rai and binet staging
Mx CLL
1/3 don’t progress, 1/3 chronically progress, 1/3 actively progressing
Steroids, chlorambucil, rituxamab
Poor prognosis in leukaemia
age and males
slow remission/ rapid relapse
high blast count
extra medullary disease
Hyperviscosity syndrome PC
Headaches, retinopathy, bleeding membranes - gums and GI, thrombosis risk.
Causes of high viscosity
High WCC - leukaemia
High plasma proteins - sickle cell, myeloma
Any cause of polycythemia i.e. PV, ET, 2ndary hypoxia