Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in the Emergency Department: Recognizing and Evaluating a Hidden Threat

Katelin Morrissette, Rachel Bridwell, Skyler Lentz, Elizabeth Brem, Karla Olmedo Gutierrez, Manpreet Singh, Alex Koyfman, Brit Long

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening hematologic disorder resulting from an ineffective and pathologic activation of the immune response system that may mimic common emergency department presentations, including sepsis, acute liver failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and flu-like illnesses such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: This narrative review provides a summary of the disease and recommendations for the recognition and diagnostic evaluation of HLH with a focus on the emergency clinician. Discussion: Though the condition is rare, mortality rates are high, ranging from 20% to 80% and increasing with delays in treatment. Importantly, HLH has been recognized as a severe variation of the cytokine storm associated with COVID-19. Common features include a history of infection or malignancy, fever, splenomegaly or hepatomegaly, hyperferritinemia, cytopenias, coagulopathies, abnormal liver enzymes, and hypertriglyceridemia. Using specific features of the history, physical examination, laboratory studies, and tools such as the HScore, HLH-2004/2009, and hyperferritinemia thresholds, the emergency clinician can risk-stratify patients and admit for definitive testing. Once diagnosed, disease specific treatment can be initiated. Conclusion: This review describes the relevant pathophysiology, common presentation findings, and a framework for risk stratification in the emergency department.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)743-751
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Emergency Medicine
Volume60
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • HLH
  • cytopenia
  • hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
  • hepatosplenomegaly
  • hyperferritinemia
  • immunology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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