Use of splenic ultrasound: a new wave for immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Issue 5 (May 1994)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cervi, P; Murdock, A; Rees, D; Garner, S; Grant, D; Wright, S; Dyson, M
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 47:Issue 5(1994)
• Page Start: 414
• Page End: 417
• Publication Date: 1994-05
• Subjects: Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.47.5.414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : AIMS--To examine whether a therapeutic dose of ultrasound waves, when directed through the thoracic wall to the spleen, would significantly affect the platelet count in patients with stable immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). METHODS--Continuous ultrasound at 1 W/cm2 spatial average-time average (SATA) intensity for up to one minute/5 cm2 treatment field was well tolerated in 13 patients with ITP and one with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Five healthy controls were also similarly treated. Peak platelet increments occurred four to eight hours after ultrasound treatment in the ITP group (n = 16 treatments). RESULTS--The mean peak platelet increment was 6.25 x 10(9)/l with a 5% confidence interval of the mean (95% CI) of 3.32 to 8.93 x 10(9)/l (p = 0.0004). The mean peak platelet increment of normal controls was 6.6 (n = 5; 95% CI = -2.3 to 15.5; p = 0.21) and for sham treated patients it was 0.66 (n = 11; 95% CI = -1.5 to 2.8; p = 0.60). There was a significant inverse correlation between patient age in the ITP group and peak platelet increment (r = -0.60; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS--Splenic ultrasound is a novel approach to the treatment of ITP, and may find a place in its diagnosis or management.