[Diagnostic and intensive care problems in hemolytic uremic syndrome]

We observed a young man with apparently septic appendicitis who finally could be diagnosed as suffering from haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) when spuriously normalising platelet counts were identified as a cell counter artifact. This case stresses the fact that automatically counted abnormal thrombocyte numbers should be examined by microscopy. Therapy is empirically based on corticosteroids, plasmapheresis and fresh frozen plasma. The application of thrombocyte concentrates should be avoided because of the risk of aggravating the disease process.