Coagulopathy and functional hyposplenism during an episode of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a HgbS/β (+)-thalassemia patient.
We report a case of TTP in a sickle cell/β+-thalassemia heterozygote with nonspecific complaints and a evidence of hemolysis, initially attributed to sickle crisis. Included in this case is a discussion of the development of functional hyposplenism, a rarely reported complication, limitation of ADAMTS-13 in diagnosis, and the use of platelet transfusion.
Department of Internal Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine/Hahnemann University Hospital 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 427, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19102.
Andrew J
AJ
Gangemi
Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department Medicine, Abington Memorial Hospital 1200 Old York Road, Abington, Pennsylvania, 19001.
Peter V
PV
Pickens
Hyposplenism; sickle cell disease; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura; β+-thalassemia