Reactive leuco-thrombocytosis in a post splenectomized pregnant woman in labour: A case report

Abstract

Post-splenectomy diagnosis of infection based on WBC and platelet elevation is confounded by the fact that leucocytosis is a physiologic response to splenectomy, similar to the phenomenon of post-splenectomy platelet count elevation. Previous reports suggest that the WBC post-splenectomy in patients with sepsis is greater and more persistent than the WBC in patients without sepsis. However, specific values that can be used at the bedside to distinguish between a "normal" and "pathologic" WBC or platelet elevation are lacking. The clinician is often challenged to identify an infection in a post-splenectomy patient with an elevated WBC and prevent thrombotic events in case of thrombocytosis.