Neutropenia Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Oct 31, 2022
  • Author: Carly DeFaria, MD; Chief Editor: Emmanuel C Besa, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Conditions to be considered include the following:

  • Large granular lymphocyte leukemia
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
  • Congenital neutropenia
  • Cyclic neutropenia
  • Drug-induced neutropenia
  • Large granular lymphocytic leukemia
  • Pseudoneutropenia

Obtain a detailed history in patients with neutropenia or agranulocytosis, with particular emphasis on medication use. The inquiry must extend back in time to include discontinued medications. Over-the-counter drugs must be included in the inquiry because patients often do not consider these agents to be medications. Any possible occupational or accidental exposure to toxic chemicals or physical agents must be excluded. Agranulocytosis should be differentiated from other syndromes of bone marrow failure, including pancytopenia and aplastic anemia. Leukemia should be excluded.

Differential Diagnoses