Foamy histiocytes in spleens removed for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

By BERNARD CZERNOBILSKY, HOWARD H. FREEDMAN AND ABRAHAM M. FRUMIN F OAMY HISTIOCYTES were found in three of 47 spleens removed for chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura ( ITP) . Fat stains demonstrated the absence of lipid. These cells have never been reported in ITP except for a brief mention by Carpenter et a!.’ Somewhat similar histiocytes have been described in thalassemia2, and in an ill-defined condition characterized by splenomegaly.4 The morphologic and histochemical characteristics of these cells will be described and an analysis made of the clinical and hematologic findings of the three patients.