AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF ESSENTIAL THROMBOCYTOSIS

Essential Thrombocytosis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) first described by Epstein and Goedel in 1934 [1], is a non­reactive, chronic myeloproliferative disorder. Essential thrombocytosis is associated with sustained megakaryocyte proliferation that increases the number of circulating platelets. It is characterized by a platelet count greater than 600,000/f.lL, megakaryocytic hyperplasia, splenomegaly, and a clinical course complicated by hemorrhagic and/or thrombotic episodes [2,3]. The median age at diagnosis is 60 years and as many as 20 percent of the patients may be younger than 40 years of age [4] While one-quarter to one-third of the patients with essential thrombocytosis may be totally asymptomatic at presentation, the remaining may report "vasomotor" symptoms or manifest thrombohemorrhagic complications [5]. Incidence of portal vein thrombosis is 2 percent in those under 40 years of age and most common symptoms of portal vein thrombosis in these patients are varicael haemorrhage 62 percent, anaemia 15 percent, ascites 10 percent, splenomegaly 8 percent, thrombocytopenia 5 percent. We are reporting a case of portal vein thrombosis with an uncommon presentation of severe abdominal pain and associated thrombocytosis. Later investigations ruled out causes of reactive thrombocytosis