Basophilia is the condition of having greater than 200 basophils/μL in the venous blood.Basophils are the least numerous of the myelogenous cells, and it is rare for their numbers to be abnormally high without changes to other blood components. Rather, basophilia is most often coupled with other white blood cell conditions such as eosinophilia- high levels of eosinophils in the blood. Basophils are easily identifiable by a blue coloration of the granules within each cell, marking them as granulocytes, in addition to segmented nuclei. Causes
Basophilia can be attributed to many causes and is typically not sufficient evidence alone to signify a specific condition when isolated as a finding under microscopic examination. Coupled with other findings, such as abnormal levels of neutrophils, it may suggest the need for additional workup. As an example, additional evidence of left-shifted neutrophilia alongside basophilia indicates a potential likelihood primarily of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), or an alternate myeloproliferative neoplasm. Additionally, basophilia in the presence of numerous circulating blasts suggests the possibility of acute myeloid leukemia. Elevation of basophils may also be representative of multiple other underlying neoplasms such as polycythemia vera (PV), myelofibrosis, thrombocythemia, or, in rare cases, solid tumors. Alternative root causes other than these neoplasmic complications are most commonly allergic reactions or chronic inflammation related to infections such as tuberculosis, influenza, inflammatory bowel disorder, or an inflammatory autoimmune disease. Chronic hemolytic anemia and infectious diseases such as smallpox also demonstrate elevated basophil levels. Certain drug usage and food ingestion can also correlate with symptoms of basophilia.
A compression fracture is a collapse of a vertebra. It may be due to trauma or due to a weakening of the vertebra (compare with burst fracture). This weakening is seen in patients with osteoporosis or osteogenesis imperfecta, lytic lesions from metastatic or primary tumors, or infection. In healthy patients, it is most often seen in individuals suffering extreme vertical shocks, such as ejecting from an ejection seat. Seen in lateral views in plain x-ray films, compression fractures of the spine characteristically appear as wedge deformities, with greater loss of height anteriorly than posteriorly and intact pedicles in the anteroposterior view. Signs and symptoms
Acute fractures will cause severe back pain. Compression fractures which develop gradually, such as in osteoporosis, may initially not cause any symptoms, but will later often lead to back pain and loss of height. Diagnosis
Compression fractures are usually diagnosed on spinal radiographs, where a wedge-shaped vertebra may be visible or there may be loss of height of the vertebra. In addition, bone density measurement may be performed to evaluate for osteoporosis. When a tumor is suspected as the underlying cause, or the fracture was caused by severe trauma, CT or MRI scans may be performed. Treatment
Conservative treatment
Back brace for support while the bone heals—either a Jewett brace for relatively stable and mild injuries, or a thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO) for more severe ones. Opioids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain. For osteoporotic patients, calcitonin may be helpful.