Severe bone marrow necrosis associated with septic shock in the intensive care unit

Unexplained cytopenias can be related to bone marrow necrosis (BMN) in critically ill patients as it can be encountered in several diseases or life-threatening conditions. We present the case of a 39-year-old woman with pancytopenia revealing a BMN in the setting of an acute pyelonephritis with septic shock, multiple organ failure and sickle cell trait. After a short review on the subject, we suggest that various haematological abnormalities occurring in critically ill patients may be related to a mild to severe marrow necrosis. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.