[Pure red cell aplasia and chronic leukemia. Usefulness of ferrokinetic measurements (author's transl)].

Erythroblastopenia is probably not rare in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) but the diagnosis could be difficult. It produces a severe and rapidly developing anemia, without evidence of hemolysis. The chief differential diagnosis is the common bone marrow insufficiency of end-stage CLL. Iron kinetics measurements are typical, showing a total erythropoietic insufficiency, and a red cell utilization of radio-iron that is practically zero. Erythroblastopenia could be cured with corticosteroid or sometimes with immunosuppressive treatment.