The hematologic evaluation of the urologic patient.

This article provides a framework for the hematologic evaluation of the urology patient. The discussion is based on an analysis of test results obtained from routine screening laboratory studies as the complete blood count and platelet count. The use of automated blood counts also provides quantitative indices of red cell morphology which facilitate the diagnosis of red blood cell disorders. To aid in categorizing hematologic disorders, abnormalities of the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are discussed separately. In some circumstances where a disease process, such as bacteremia, alters more than one of the formed elements of the blood, this speparate analysis approach is less appropriate. Nevertheless, this division is generally useful in arriving at the correct interpretation of hematologic abnormalities. Within each category of abnormal test results, a variety of etiologies is listed. Elaboration is reserved for the entities commonly seen in hospitalized patients. For a more detailed discussion of the common disorders or for a more inclusive listing of the less common disorders, the bibliography lists a selection of useful references.