An Unusual Case of Hemolytic Anemia Reversed with Liver Transplantation

Spur cell anemia is acquired hemolytic anemia seen in patients with advanced liver disease, particularly in the setting of alcoholism, and warrants urgent liver transplant evaluation. We describe the case of a 58-year-old female with alcoholic cirrhosis who presented with worsening liver disease, p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vatsala Katiyar, Apaar Dadlani, Ishaan Vohra, Kamila Cisak, Ashutosh Barve
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2022-04-01
Series:International Journal of Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ijhoscr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijhoscr/article/view/1662
Description
Summary:Spur cell anemia is acquired hemolytic anemia seen in patients with advanced liver disease, particularly in the setting of alcoholism, and warrants urgent liver transplant evaluation. We describe the case of a 58-year-old female with alcoholic cirrhosis who presented with worsening liver disease, profound anemia poorly responsive to blood transfusions, and multiple spur cells on the peripheral smear. She underwent a liver transplant, which led to the resolution of hematologic abnormalities and the need for transfusions. Our case highlights the significance of spur cell anemia as a harbinger of poor prognosis in patients with advanced liver disease and its reversibility with liver transplantation
ISSN:2008-2207