[Changes in the megakaryocyte-platelet system in chronic neutrophilic leukemia].

Platelet functions and morphological changes of megakaryocytes were investigated in three cases with chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL). The bleeding time was prolonged, the ADP, collagen, epinephrine-induced aggregation of platelets decreased in one case. The adhesiveness, epinephrine-induced aggregation and adenine nucleotide content of platelets decreased in one other case. Megakaryocyte size in CNL was larger than in CML and this difference of the megakaryocyte sizes was related to DNA content distribution of the megakaryocytes. Atypical megakaryocytes were apparently found in one case. The present study suggests that CNL is a stem cell disorder.