Aplastic Anemia and Splenectomy

THE GRAVE prognosis associated with aplastic anemia is well established and has been repeatedly documented.^1-3 Various regimens have been explored in the management of this disease. These include either alone or in combinations, adrenocorticosteroids, androgens, and splenectomy.^{2,4 6} Varying degrees of success have been reported and a number of remissions have been reported.^4-6 Despite these experiences, spontaneous remission has been the elusive goal of all treatment programs. In 1962 and in 1965, Lewis described a hemolytic component which may be present in aplastic anemia and reported the possible beneficial effects of splenectomy; however, in none of his cases were radioisotope studies used for the detection of splenic sequestration prior to splenectomy.^3,7 In 1965, Ingall et al reported that phenylalanine mitigated certain toxic effects induced by chloramphenicol.⁸ It is the purpose of this report to describe a patient with aplastic anemia, who exhibited a partial remission following splenectomy.

Report of Case