Reversibility of anatomical and functional asplenia by chronic transfusion in a child with sickle cell anemia.
We describe a 13-year-old black girl with sickle cell disease in whom spleen regrew after autosplenectomy during the course of a transfusion program for a cerebrovascular accident. This case illustrates the remarkable regrowth potential of the shrunken and fibrotic spleen when sickled red cells are replaced with normal cells.
Ozkaynak
M F
MF
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Childrens Hospital, Los Angeles, California 90027.
Ortega
J A
JA
D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013154:Spleen / Q000254:growth & development*; D013156:Splenectomy