[Acute splenic sequestration: a rare and severe complication of sickle cell anemia in adults. A case report].
BACKGROUND
Acute splenic sequestration, a well-recognized complication of sickle cell syndromes, is characterized by a sudden decrease in haemoglobin concentration and marked painless splenomegaly. We report a case illustrating the outcome and the treatment options of this complication.


METHODS
A 45-year old homozygous woman developed acute splenic sequestration with severe anemia. Red blood cells transfusion led to transient improvement but a relapse-required splenectomy. Long-term outcome was favorable.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute splenic sequestration is a severe complication mainly observed in children. Despite the severity of this complication, prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy, and particularly red blood cells transfusions, led to a complete recovery. Splenectomy is required in the more severe form of the disease.
Habibi
A
A
Service de médecine interne 1, unité des maladies génétiques du globule rouge et d'Aphérèse 1, CHU Henri-Mondor, AP-HP, 51, avenue de Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94000 Créteil, France.
Khellaf
M
M
Bachir
D
D
Schaeffer
A
A
Galactéros
F
F
Godeau
B
B
D000208:Acute Disease; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*