I saw some platelet satellites today. We
often see platelets clumping in EDTA (at least once every day, but seeing them
satellite around neutrophils is a relatively rare occurrence. Interestingly (and
something I didn’t realise) is that demonstrably the platelets don’t form
satellites around every neutrophil.
I wonder why not.
Anyway, here’s a couple of references on
the matter:
The second reference says “The
clinical importance of this phenomenon is that in some cases it may result in
spurious thrombocytopenia or pseudothrombocytopenia leading to further
unnecessary investigations. Thus, recognition of this in vitro phenomenon only
re-emphasizes the necessity of age old practice of peripheral blood film
examination".
Written by an old-timer like me!!!
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