SPLENIC REGROWTH IN SICKLE-CELL-ANEMIA FOLLOWING HYPERTRANSFUSION

We describe five adult patients with sickle cell anaemia (SS) who deve loped clinical, radiological and histological evidence of splenic regr owth while receiving regular blood transfusions. Five patients, all ho mozygous SS, range 23-34 years, were commenced on hypertransfusion the rapy. Three patients were transfused because of severe recurrent vaso- occlusive crises, one for chronic sickle lung and one in an attempt to prevent deterioration of renal function. The mean duration of hypertr ansfusion prior to documentation of splenic regrowth was 52 months (ra nge 12-97 months). Two patients developed significant hypersplenism. O ne patient had clinically-apparent splenomegaly and four patients had splenomegaly documented on ultrasound. Splenic regrowth in hypertransf used adults with sickle cell anaemia is not infrequent and may have im portant clinical implications.