%0 Journal Article
%T Partial Splenic Embolization in Paediatric Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Hypersplenism.
%A Bazeboso JA
%A Mbuyi Mukendi D
%A Mbongo CL
%A Mbombo W
%A Lelo Tshikwela M
%A Molua A
%A Longo B
%A Tshilolo L
%A Bilbao JI
%J Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol
%V 47
%N 5
%D 2024 May 5
%M 38578371
%F 2.797
%R 10.1007/s00270-024-03701-4
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To assess the safety and efficacy of partial splenic embolization (PSE) to reduce the need of transfusions and improve hematologic parameters in patients with hypersplenism and sickle cell disease (SCD).<BR><B>METHODS: </B>This prospective study includes 35 homozygous hemoglobin S patients with SCD and hypersplenism who underwent PSE from 2015 until 2021 in Kinshasa. Patients were evaluated, before and after PSE (1, 3 and 6 months), using clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic methods. PSE was performed with the administration of gelatin sponge particles embolizing 60-70% of the splenic parenchyma.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The mean age was 10 (± 4) years and (21/35, 60%) were male. After PSE Leucocytes decreased at 3 months (16 692.94 vs 13 582.86, p = 0.02) and at six months Erythrocytes increased 2 004 000 vs. 2 804 142 (p < 0.001), Platelets increased (168 147 vs. 308 445, p < 0.001) and Hemoglobin increased (5.05 g/dL vs. 6.31 g/dL, p < 0.001) There was a significant dicrease in the need of transfusions from 6 (2-20) before PSE to 0.06 (0-1) after PSE (p < 0.001). The most frequent complication was splenic rupture (4/35, 11.4%), seen only and in all patients with hypoechogenic nodules at baseline.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>PSE is a safe procedure in patients with SCD and hypersplenism, that do not have hypoechogenic nodules in the spleen. PSE improves the hematological parameters and reduces the frequency of blood transfusions.