Thrombocytopenic purpura as a presenting manifestation of tubercular lymphadenitis

Abstract

A 11-year-old girl presented with thrombocytopenic purpura along with cervical lymphadenopathy. There was no hepatosplenomegaly; no evidence of microangiopathy; bone marrow examination was normal. Acid fast bacilli were seen in fine needle aspiration cytology of the lymph node. A diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenitis in association with immune thrombocytopenia was made, and the platelet count recovered with antitubercular therapy. This report illustrates immune thrombocytopenia as a rare manifestation of childhood tuberculosis; the authors also discuss other causes of thrombocytopenia in childhood tuberculosis.