Share

What's your diagnosis? – Case 11: bruising with no apparent cause

accreditation

Mrs Q, a 40 year old mother of three, presents to her GP with a 2 month history of intermittent bruising. She initially thought it was nothing to worry about when the bruising first appeared on her upper thigh, which cleared after a short while. One morning she noticed significant bruising covering her arms and legs. She can’t recall any injuries but, being a pre-school teacher, she is very active during the day picking up children.

However, when she woke up with bruised lips, Mrs Q decided to visit her GP. The following is a summary of his history taking and physical examination:

History:

1.            No medical history, except for colds and flu and two episodes of nose bleeds.

2.            No previous surgical history.

3.            No smoking or alcohol usage.

4.            Regular, but heavy menstruation. (Currently menstruating)

Physical examination:

1.            Slightly pale gums and tongue, small pinpoint bleeds and bruises on lips.

2.            Normal cardiac and respiratory examination.

3.            Normal abdominal examination with no enlarged organs.

4.            Normal vaginal examination, blood noted – menstruation.

5.            No abnormalities found on breasts.

6.            Significant areas of purplish bruising on arms and legs.
               Small blood-red, round, dots on arms and lower legs. If pressed on, they do not disappear.

Side Room investigations:

1.            Pulse rate 89 beats per minute, blood pressure within normal range

2.            Urine testing: clear

3.            Haemoglobin level (finger prick): 11 g/dL

The GP is very concerned with his findings and decides to do a blood test. The results concerned him even more. He noted a low number of platelets (cells in the blood that makes the blood clot). The GP decides to refer Mrs Q to a physician to exclude Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia (ITP) – a condition which results from very low platelet counts and may lead to significant bruising.

The physician phoned the GP a week later, confirming all his findings, but saying there is more to the diagnosis than just ITP. Her platelet count had returned to normal.  

What is your diagnosis?

What’s your diagnosis? Join the guesswork on our Facebook page, or comment below. 

NOTE: Health24's on-site GP Dr Owen Wiese will reveal new cases on Thursdays. We'll post the answer with the story on Mondays, or you can get it via the Daily Tip – sign up here.

Previously on What's Your Diagnosis

What's your diagnosis? -  Case 1: vomiting and weight loss

What's your diagnosis? -  Case 2: eye pain

What's your diagnosis? -  Case 3: strange behaviour and a bullet in the back

What's your diagnosis? -  Case 4: seeing odd things

What's your diagnosis? - Case 5: mysterious lungs

What's your diagnosis? - Case 6: runner with seizures

What's your diagnosis? - Case 7: swollen knee

What's your diagnosis? - Case 8: bloody semen

What's your diagnosis? - Case 9: confusing neurological signs

What's your diagnosis? - Case 10: diabetic teenager with unusual signs and symptoms

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE