Hydroxyurea-induced splenic regrowth in an adult patient with severe hemoglobin SC disease.

Abstract

Hydroxyurea has been extensively used in patients with sickle cell anemia and severe sickle cell-hemoglobin C (SC) disease to reduce the severity of their diseases. We report here our experience with an adult patient with severe SC disease who developed symptomatic splenomegaly requiring splenectomy while being treated with hydroxyurea. This case suggests that hydroxyurea might restore some splenic function in functionally asplenic patients with sickle cell anemia or SC disease, but also raises the clinical concern that hydroxyurea may induce splenic regrowth, resulting in symptomatic splenomegaly. With the increasing use of hydroxyurea in the management of SS disease or other hemoglobinopathies, the importance of spleen monitoring must be further emphasized in these patients.

• Authors: Yiwu Huang, Thyagarajan Ananthakrishnan, Joseph E Eid
• Journal: American journal of hematology (Am J Hematol) Vol. 74 Issue 2 Pg. 125-6 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 0361-8609 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14508799 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss Inc.

Chemical References

• Antisickling Agents
• Hydroxyurea

Topics

• Adult
• Anemia, Sickle Cell (drug therapy)
• Antisickling Agents (adverse effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Hydroxyurea (adverse effects)
• Splenomegaly (chemically induced)