Chronic, benign familial neutropenia is suggested by a history of long-standing neutropenia without an increased risk for infection. These patients do not generate increased leukocyte counts with infection, but they have fevers and other symptoms, such as tachycardia, when infected.
Common presenting symptoms of neutropenia include the following:
Low-grade fever
Sore mouth
Odynophagia
Gingival pain and swelling
Skin abscesses
Recurrent sinusitis and otitis
Symptoms of pneumonia (eg, cough, dyspnea)
Perirectal pain and irritation
Patients with agranulocytosis usually present with the following:
Sudden onset of malaise
Sudden onset of fever, possibly with chills and prostration
Stomatitis and periodontitis accompanied by pain
Pharyngitis, with difficulty in swallowing
In agranulocytosis, fever may be present. Rapid pulse and respiration may be evident. Hypotension and signs of septic shock may be apparent if infection has been present. Painful aphthous ulcers may be found in the oral cavity. Swollen and tender gums may be present. Usually, purulent discharge is not present because not enough neutrophils exist to form pus. Skin infections are associated with painful swelling, but erythema and suppuration are usually absent.
A patient with agranulocytosis may have experienced a recent viral infection, although such infections are rarely associated with severe neutropenia. Certain bacterial infections may also precede agranulocytosis.
For more on the presentation of neutropenia, read here.
Medscape © 2017 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Elwyn C. Cabebe. Fast Five Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Neutropenia? - Medscape - Nov 22, 2017.
Comments