Idiopatic thrombocytopenic purpura is one of the basic clinical entities characterized above all by thrombocytopenia. It is an autoimmune disease caused by antibodies against glycoproteins of the thrombocyte membrane, most frequently GP IIIa/IIb and GP Ib/IX. In addition to basic laboratory examinations (haemogram, biochemistry) as well as special examinations such as sternal puncture, the diagnosis is supplemented by immunocytoflowmetry and MAIPA with detection of antibodies against thrombocytes and examinations of thrombocyte survival. By use of further laboratory examination (haemogram in oxalate) it is important to differentiate ITP from „pseudothrombopenia“. Secondary autoimmune thrombopenia can be ruled out by laboratory tests used to diagnose systemic diseases, thyroid disorders, paravirus thrombopenia etc. For the diagnosis of other secondary thrombopenias incl. those caused by hypersplenism or affection of the bone marrow by another, most frequently malignant disease, a number of laboratory and imaging methods are used. In addition to summarizing diagnostic possibilities of ITP the authors analyze therapeutic possibilities - starting with corticoid treatment, and in serious haemorrhage large doses of immunoglobulins to second line treatment such as splenectomy, and refractory forms of the disease and the authors draw attention to undesirable effects of some non-conventional therapeutic protocols.

        Key words: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - immunoglobulins - corticoids - splenectomy - MAIPA.