Showing 21-40 of 41 for: Essential Evidence Topics > Hematologic 
- Leukemia (acute myelogenous)
Essential Evidence Topics, 5-Jan-2020
Overall Bottom Line: Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults. Patients present with insidious symptoms related to variable degrees of bone marrow failure. The diagnosis of AML is demonstrated by increased num
- Leukemia (chronic myelocytic)
Essential Evidence Topics, 5-Dec-2018
Overall Bottom Line: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the presence of the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome and the Bcr-Abl mutant gene. Patients with CML typically present with vague symptoms, such as fat
- Leukemia (hairy cell)
Essential Evidence Topics, 23-Feb-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Obtain a peripheral smear to evaluate for abnormal lymphocytes with fine, hair-like projections in a patient who presents with pancytopenia and splenomegaly. The bone marrow is typically inaspirable, but the biopsy is essential fo
- Leukocytosis evaluation
Essential Evidence Topics, 3-Sep-2020
Overall Bottom Line: The complete blood count and leukocyte differential count have no value in screening asymptomatic members of the general population. If infection is clinically evident, a leukocyte differential count is unnecessary to confirm the di
- Leukopenia
Essential Evidence Topics, 5-Jan-2020
Overall Bottom Line: Neutropenia is classified as mild (ANC >1000-1500/μL), moderate (ANC 500-1000/μL), or severe (ANC <500/μL). Acquired neutropenia is more common than congenital neutropenia, with common causes being drugs and viral infections.
- Lymphoma (Hodgkin's)
Essential Evidence Topics, 23-Feb-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Common symptoms include lymph node swelling, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Open biopsy of enlarged lymph nodes to show the presence of Hodgkin's or Reed-Sternberg cells is mandatory. For staging, or extent of disease, p
- Lymphoma (non-Hodgkin's)
Essential Evidence Topics, 17-Sep-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) are grouped as either aggressive lymphoma or as indolent lymphoma; about 85% of NHL occur in B cells. Open biopsy of enlarged lymph nodes is mandatory for diagnosis. Chemotherapy is the main treatmen
- Mediastinal enlargement
Essential Evidence Topics, 19-Mar-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Mediastinal enlargement is defined as a total width of more than 8 cm at the level of the aortic arch or a mediastinal to chest width ratio of more than 0.25. The most common mediastinal mass is lymphoma. Rare but important causes
- Multiple myeloma
Essential Evidence Topics, 19-Jun-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Suspect multiple myeloma (MM) in patients with bone pain, especially if associated with back pain, fatigue, nerve compression, or recurrent bacterial infections. Patients diagnosed with MM should be evaluated for evidence of end-org
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
Essential Evidence Topics, 4-Jul-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Consider myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in patients with unexplained cytopenias, especially older patients or those who have undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy for another disease. Bone marrow examination with cytogenetic studie
- Polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia
Essential Evidence Topics, 1-Jul-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Diagnose polycythemia vera according to the updated 2007 WHO criteria (). Stratify patients on the basis of their risk to develop major thrombotic complications. Treat low-risk patients with phlebotomy and low-dose aspirin. Trea
- Primary antibody deficiency
Essential Evidence Topics, 8-Jun-2020
Overall Bottom Line: Consider primary antibody deficiency (PAD) in patients with recurrent, severe, unusual, or persistent infections, especially upper and lower respiratory infections. The diagnostic approach involves measurement of serum IgG, IgA, IgM
- Serum sickness
Essential Evidence Topics, 12-Aug-2019
Overall Bottom Line: If possible, avoid cefaclor in children as it may be associated with an increased risk of serum sickness. Identification of the offending agent is the key to diagnosis. Fever is universal; rash, nearly so. Treatment with antihis
- Severe combined immunodeficiency
Essential Evidence Topics, 23-Dec-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Suspect severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in infants presenting with severe respiratory infections, persistent oral thrush, persistent diarrhea, failure to thrive, and age-related lymphopenia. Refer suspected cases to an immuno
- Sickle cell anemia
Essential Evidence Topics, 15-Aug-2020
Overall Bottom Line: Order pneumococcal and influenza vaccination. Screen all patients for conditions as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) along with specific sickle cell conditions including stroke, retinopathy, p
- Splenomegaly
Essential Evidence Topics, 18-Jun-2019
Overall Bottom Line: The most common causes of splenomegaly are hepatic disease (35%), infectious diseases (26%), and hematologic disease (24%). Evaluate patients with splenomegaly for portal hypertension first followed by infectious and hematologic pro
- Thalassemia
Essential Evidence Topics, 19-Jul-2019
Overall Bottom Line: All pregnant women should have a complete blood count (CBC) to assess their risk for anemia and hemoglobinopathy. A CBC is the initial test in any patients suspected of having thalassemia. Findings of mild anemia with low mean corpus
- Thrombocytopenia
Essential Evidence Topics, 27-Jun-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Thrombocytopenia (TCP) has many potential causes and can be multifactorial. It is diagnosed based on a platelet count of less than 150,000 platelets/microliter (μL). Initial evaluation should include complete blood count (CBC) and p
- Thrombophilias
Essential Evidence Topics, 20-Jun-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Patients with recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) should only be tested for thrombophilias if it will affect management. Patients with antiphospholipid (aPL) syndrome, antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency, protein C deficiency, an
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura
Essential Evidence Topics, 10-Oct-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Suspect TTP in patients with signs of hemolysis and thrombocytopenia, especially if neurologic disturbances, abdominal symptoms, or cardiac symptoms are present. To diagnose TTP, thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemi
