A case of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria terminating in a myeloproliferative syndrome

This report discusses the case of a 60-year-old man who presented in 1969 with thrombocytopenia and mild marrow hypoplasia. A diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), was established. The subsequent course included episodes of overt intravascular haemolysis. Thrombocytopenia reverted on several occasions during Oxymetholone therapy. The terminal phase of the illness was marked by the development of a leukocytosis and densely hypercellular bone marrow with splenomegaly. The features were those of a myeloproliferative disorder, although frank leukaemia did not develop.