Table 4.

Diagnostic dilemmas and caveats to look for while diagnosing Autoimmune thrombocytopenia and Autoimmune Neutropenia.³⁸,⁴⁶

Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia	Autoimmune Neutropenia
Typical presentation: Sudden fall in platelet count to <100,000 or >50% drop from previous value and No evidence of splenomegaly, increased platelet destruction, recent chemotherapy and normal or increased megakaryocytes on bone marrow.	Typical presentation: Persistent unexplained neutropenia (Absolute neutrophil counts below 500) and no recent chemotherapy and bone marrow showing decreased or absent granulocyte precursors or maturation arrest. Positive anti neutrophil antibodies can sometimes be suggestive of autoimmunity.
Watch for:	Watch for:
If the patient is not anemic, thrombocytopenia is more likely to be AIT irrespective of the rate of fall. Spleen can be involved by CLL. Megakaryocytes can sometimes be difficult to appreciate in a bone marrow heavily infiltrated by CLL.	All other possible causes of neutropenia should be excluded carefully. Bone marrow sometimes may be difficult to appreciate if it is heavily infiltrated by CLL.