A 23-year-old man is brought by helicopter to a major trauma center after a severe motorcycle accident.He has major abdominal trauma,including a ruptured spleen,and is taken to surgery,where his spleen is removed.Two weeks after surgery,his platelet count peaks at 950 × 10⁹/L.What is the most likely cause for this high platelet count?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Removal of the spleen characteristically results in a thrombocytosis that can reach or even exceed 1000 × 10⁹/L (1 million/mL).The platelet count usually peaks 2 to 3 weeks after surgery and generally remains elevated for 1 to 3 months.Platelet counts generally are not this elevated in reactive thrombocytosis,and they do not peak 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.

A 23-Year-Old Man Is Brought by Helicopter to a Major