Correct Diagnosis: In fact this patient has promyelocytic leukaemia. The blood film shows high numbers of white blood cells, predominantly promyelocytes which contain granules rich in procoagulant (thromboplastin-like) material. This results in a process of disseminated intravascular coagulation, a condition associated with low platelets, low fibrinogen levels and decreased levels of coagulation factors, particularly Factor V and VIII, all of which are consumed by the clotting process.
Correction tests may be performed by adding normal plasma to the patient's plasma and repeating the APTT, which should show a shortened clotting time.
DEMO
