[Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: diagnosis and therapy in 46 patients].

The hematological and immunological data of 46 patients with idiopathic thrombozytopenic purpura (ITP) and their response to treatment are reported. The findings are as follows: (1) Antiplatelet antibodies (serum assays) cannot be recommended as a useful diagnostic approach in ITP. (2) Circulating immune complexes are demonstrable in 77% of our patients. (3) The bone marrow contains increased numbers of eosinophils and erythrocytes in about the half of the patients. (4) A "remission" is obtained in 50% of patients with corticosteroids and in 60-80% with splenectomy. Among the immunosuppressants, cyclophosphamide appears to be the most useful. (5) Fatal hemorrhages are very rarely seen in adults with ITP.