Quantitation of pulmonary megakaryocytes and fibrin thrombi in patients dying from burns.

Pulmonary megakaryocytes and fibrin microthrombi were counted in lung sections from 22 patients dying from extensive burns. There was a significant correlation between numbers of megakaryocytes and fibrin microthrombi, supporting a relationship between disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and numbers of pulmonary megakaryocytes. No correlation was found between antemortem platelet counts and either fibrin microthrombi or megakaryocytes. Possible explanations for this are forwarded and the nature of pulmonary megakaryocytes discussed.