Isolated thrombocytopenia as the initial and sole manifestation of bone marrow b-cell lymphoma in an elderly female

Authors

• Muhammad Mohsin Zahoor Respiratory Department, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
• Hira Gul Respiratory Department, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
• Abdul Mannan Respiratory Department, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
• Brian Casserly Respiratory Department, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

drmohsinbajwa481@gmail.com

Keywords

Abstract

B-cell lymphomas are highly aggressive forms of lymphoma that commonly present with lymphadenopathy, systemic “B’’ symptoms, or organ involvement making them easy to recognize; however, a small percentage of B-cell lymphomas can present without any typical symptoms or evidence of lymphadenopathy, resulting in delayed recognition and management. Isolated thrombocytopenia without anaemia or leukopenia is an unusual presentation of B cell lymphomas and may be misdiagnosed as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Given the rarity of this presentation, we wish to report a case of a 76-year-old female who presented with palpitations, shortness of breath, and recurrent chest infections. She was found to have isolated thrombocytopenia (platelet count 57 ×10⁹/l) with otherwise normal laboratory findings. Initial treatment for presumed ITP was unsuccessful, which lead to more invasive investigations. Bone marrow biopsy revealed infiltration with atypical lymphoid nodules consistent with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Following chemotherapy, her platelet counts normalized. This case highlights the importance of bone marrow evaluation in elderly patients with unexplained thrombocytopenia, even in the absence of typical lymphoma features.

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