Classic paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: A puzzling case of hemolytic anemia without cytopenia
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an uncommon acquired complement-mediated hemolytic anemia characterized by continuous destruction of red blood cells leading to dark red or black colored urine. A 42-year-old man has been experiencing recurring jaundice, gastrointestinal discomfort, and h...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Iraqi Journal of Hematology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ijh.ijh_103_24 |
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| Summary: | Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an uncommon acquired complement-mediated hemolytic anemia characterized by continuous destruction of red blood cells leading to dark red or black colored urine. A 42-year-old man has been experiencing recurring jaundice, gastrointestinal discomfort, and high-colored urine for the past 2 years. His hemogram and antiglobulin tests were normal. The hemolytic anemia workup revealed reticulocytosis, hemoglobinuria, urine hemosiderin, elevated indirect bilirubinemia, and extremely low haptoglobin. A high index of suspicion for PNH prompted the laboratory physician to do flow cytometry, which confirmed the diagnosis of classical PNH. Here, we discuss a case of PNH that remained undiagnosed for years, detailing how we successfully identified a rare and confusing case of hemolytic anemia without cytopenia. |
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| ISSN: | 2072-8069 2543-2702 |