What is a common finding in the peripheral blood of patients with essential thrombocythemia?

In essential thrombocythemia (ET), a common characteristic is the presence of abnormal platelet morphology in the peripheral blood. Patients with ET typically exhibit a significantly elevated platelet count, and these platelets may show variations in their size and shape. Morphological abnormalities can include giant platelets and other atypical features that reflect the underlying pathology of the megakaryocytes in the bone marrow.

This abnormality in platelet structure is important as it can affect platelet function and contribute to the thrombotic and bleeding complications often seen in ET. The megakaryocytes in essential thrombocythemia are hyperproliferative, which leads to the production of atypical platelets that do not function optimally.

Understanding these morphological changes is crucial for the diagnosis and management of the disease. Recognizing the abnormal characteristics of these platelets helps differentiate essential thrombocythemia from other conditions that may cause thrombocytosis.