Diagnostic Considerations

To make an accurate diagnosis, the clinician must recognize the similarity between thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). In addition to HUS, the differential diagnosis also includes immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), two entities with very different modes of therapy (see the image below).

Differential diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Additional diagnoses that should be considered in patients presenting with an acute thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), especially in those in whom levels of ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) activity are nondeficient (> 10%) include the following^[20]:

Drug-induced TMA
Cancer-associated TMA
Hematopoietic transplant–associated TMA

Differential Diagnoses

Workup

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Differential diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

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Author

Theodore Wun, MD, FACP Professor of Medicine, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Davis School of Medicine; Chief of Hematology/Oncology, Program Director, Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System; Medical Director, University of California Davis CCRC

Theodore Wun, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Blood Banks, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society of Hematology, SWOG

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Marcel E Conrad, MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine (Retired), University of South Alabama College of Medicine

Marcel E Conrad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Blood Banks, American Chemical Society, American College of Physicians, American Physiological Society, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society of Hematology, Association of American Physicians, The Society of Federal Health Professionals (AMSUS), International Society of Hematology, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, SWOG

Disclosure: Partner received none from No financial interests for none.

Chief Editor

Srikanth Nagalla, MD, MS, FACP Chief of Benign Hematology, Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida; Clinical Professor of Medicine, Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Srikanth Nagalla, MD, MS, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology, Association of Specialty Professors

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Alexion; Alnylam; Kedrion; Sanofi; Dova; Apellis; Pharmacosmos<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Sobi; Sanofi; Rigel.

Acknowledgements

Wadie F Bahou, MD Chief, Division of Hematology, Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Director, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook

Wadie F Bahou, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hematology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.