[Retrospective analysis of 18 cases with agranulocytosis induced by antithyroid drugs].

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the routine WBC count's effect on predicting antithyroid drugs-induced agranulocytosis developing and risk factors of antithyroid drugs-induced agranulocytosis.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 18 Graves' cases with agranulocytosis induced by antithyroid drugs during 1984-1995.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Most of antithyroid drugs-induced agranulocytosis happens 2-12 weeks after the administration of antithyroid drug, and are related with the drug's doses. Some agranulocytosis happens abruptly, routine WBC and granulocyte count can not predict some agranulocytosis developing. Fever and throat sore are the intitial symptoms of agranulocytosis, if it happens, the WBC and granulocyte count must be checked immediately. The treatment of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor is effective, the corticosteroid therapy seems not to be useful for the recovery of granulocyte count.