DREPANOCYTOSIS (SICKLEMIA) AND AN APPARENTLY ACUTE SURGICAL CONDITION OF THE ABDOMEN

Abstract

In the classic case of sickle cell anemia described by Herrick1the patient suffered from attacks of abdominal pain, a feature now known to be characteristic of the syndrome. In several recorded instances such pain has been sufficiently severe that, together with physical findings, it has led to laparotomy. However, this occurrence is of some rarity, and has not previously been reported in a Caucasian. The case to be reported here is that of an American-born youth of pure Sicilian stock in whom an acute abdominal syndrome led to laparotomy with splencetomy. The history of the case merits recording in view of its import in the differential diagnosis of an acute surgical condition of the abdomen. REPORT OF A CASE History. —S. M., a youth 19 years of age, was admitted to the Los Angeles County General Hospital on Nov. 15, 1942. While driving from New York to