Unusual cause of acute abdomen. Sickle cell trait and nonhypoxic splenic infarction

D. T. King, R. R. Lindstrom, D. State, F. M. Hirose and A. Schwartz

Splenic infarction under hypoxic conditions is a well-known complication of sickle cell trait (Hgb AS). However, this case illustrates that it may occur without any clinical conditions of circumstances associated with decreased Pao2. In addition, sickle cell trait should be included in the differential diagnoses of splenic infarction even if the patient is not of African ancestry.