Reversal of liver failure in sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis.
A severe but unusual complication of sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis is acute liver failure related to intrahepatic cholestasis. The outcome is usually fatal in adults. A case of reversible acute liver failure in a patient with s/beta+ thalassemia is reported. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit because of major organ failure related to vascular occlusion phenomena. After blood-plasma transfusion and supportive therapy for acute liver failure, complete recovery was noted. A liver biopsy performed at the stage of recovery was compatible with intrahepatic cholestasis and sickling. Even though patients with s/beta+ thalassemia usually manifest milder symptoms, they rarely develop major organ failure such as acute liver failure.
Betrosian
A
A
Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pathology, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Balla
M
M
Kafiri
G
G
Palamarou
C
C
Sevastos
N
N
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001706:Biopsy; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000209:etiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007792:Lactulose / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D008102:Liver Circulation; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D010949:Plasma; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000150:complications*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007792:Lactulose