Novel Developments in Leukopenia and Pancytopenia

Cytopenias are not disease entities in and of themselves; rather, they are the expression of various underlying disease processes. Careful attention to details in patients' presentation, careful history and examination, as well as attention to the ancillary parameters of the complete blood count with a peripheral blood smear can point the clinician toward the appropriate workup. Causes of cytopenias can be inherited or acquired; the latter include medication related, autoimmune, or neoplastic causes. Emergencies need to be recognized in a timely fashion and expert consultation obtained.