Massive Splenic Infarction in a Child With Sickle Cell Disease on Chronic Transfusion Therapy

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2019 Mar;41(2):e79-e82. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001356.

Abstract

Massive splenic infarction (MSI) is a rare complication of sickle cell disease, as the spleen generally atrophies within the first few years of life. We report a case of MSI in a 12-year-old boy with homozygous sickle cell anemia (Hb SS) whose chronic transfusion therapy resulted in hypersplenism. The occurrence of a complicated MSI in our patient should perhaps further encourage elective splenectomy in such patients, despite known potential perioperative complications and postsplenectomy risks of infection and thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Sickle Cell* / diagnostic imaging
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell* / therapy
  • Blood Transfusion*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Splenectomy*
  • Splenic Infarction* / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenic Infarction* / etiology
  • Splenic Infarction* / surgery
  • Transfusion Reaction* / diagnostic imaging
  • Transfusion Reaction* / surgery