title: Splenectomy for refractory Evans' syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: report of two cases.
abstract: The main haematological manifestations seen in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are thrombocytopenia, usually mild, and haemolytic anaemia with a positive Coombs test. Owing to the shared characteristics with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, similar rules are followed in the treatment of these cytopenias. Two patients with severe aPL associated cytopenias, who required splenectomy after being refractory to steroids, immunosuppressive agents, and other treatments (intravenous gammaglobulin, danazol), are described, and previously reported cases are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Systemic Autoimmune Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. font@medicina.ub.es
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Font
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cervera
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Carrasco
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramos-Casals
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campdelacreu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ingelmo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000276:immunology*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D013156:Splenectomy; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents