title: Splenic syndrome: a rare indication for splenectomy.
abstract: Splenic infarction due to sickle cell trait and high-altitude stress has been reported in the literature. Contributing factors leading to infarction are degree of altitude stress and status of physical condition. Medical therapy, which consists of evacuation from high altitude, intravenous fluids, supplemental oxygen, and pain control, has been the mainstay of treatment. However, some patients require surgical intervention. We describe six patients with sickle cell trait who sustained splenic infarctions due to high-altitude stress; two of these patients required splenectomy for near-total splenic necrosis and intractable pain. A review of the literature demonstrates that the common indications for splenectomy are splenic rupture, extensive splenic necrosis, or persistent abdominal pain.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan. viswanadham.pothula@med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Viswanadham
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pothula
authors.forename: Emi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saegusa
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Takekoshi
authors.forename: Theodore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Edson
authors.forename: Romeo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ignacio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology*; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013312:Stress, Physiological