Reversal of liver function without exchange transfusion in sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis

Sickle Cell Intrahepatic Cholestasis: Extremely Rare but Fatal Complication of Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), with high mortality, observed mainly in patients with homozygous sickle cell anemia. Herein, we have reported a case of severe SCIC with a poor outcome despite aggressive measures including exchange transfusion and use of vasopressors.

The patient was admitted with generalized weakness, confusion, rigors, chills, and signs of hepatic failure, such as hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and coagulopathy. There was no evidence of viral hepatitis or biliary obstruction. The patient received two exchange transfusions, but he continued to deteriorate clinically despite exchange transfusion and developed hemorrhagic shock and multiorgan failure. The patient was made comfort care as per family wishes. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis of sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis and poor prognosis despite aggressive measures.

Management of Sickle Cell Intrahepatic Cholestasis: An Argument in Favor of Automated Exchange Transfusion

Sickle cell disease patients are commonly treated at transfusion medicine services, and understanding of the hepatic manifestations of the disease is key for optimal management, specifically, in individuals presenting with sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC). SCIC represents a rare, severe hepatic crisis wherein sinusoidal red cell sickling leads to massive hepatocyte dysfunction and cholestatic laboratory findings. Acute SCIC is defined by abdominal pain with progressive hepatic injury associated with hyperbilirubinemia, renal failure, encephalopathy, and coagulopathy. Patients are generally managed with red blood cell exchange transfusion (RBCEx), when available, as this is a potentially fatal condition. Simple transfusion may be utilized in resource-poor environment or when patients refuse RBCEx. As less than 50 adult cases have been described in the literature, many of them with limited follow-up, randomized clinical trials comparing RBCEx with other treatments are currently unfeasible. Likewise, a chronic form exists, but is less well characterized, and is associated with persistent bilirubinemia and a variable course in terms of progressive hepatic disease. We undertake a brief review of the literature and discuss two cases of SCIC managed with RBCEx at our institution.

The Liver in Sickle Cell Disease

Patients with sickle cell disease can develop liver disease as a result of intrahepatic sickling of erythrocytes, viral hepatitis and iron overload secondary to multiple blood transfusions, and gallstone disease as a result of chronic hemolysis. The spectrum of clinical liver disease is wide and often multifactorial. Some patients develop cirrhosis that may progress to end-stage liver failure. Limited evidence exists for medical treatments. Exchange blood transfusions may improve outcomes in the acute liver syndromes. Liver transplantation may be an option for chronic liver disease. The role for prophylactic cholecystectomy in preventing complications of gallstone disease is controversial.

Intrahepatic Cholestasis in a Sickle Cell Patient Unresponsive to Exchange Blood Transfusion

With the advent of hydroxyurea, the sickle cell population has been enjoying a prolonged life span as compared to the pre-hydroxyurea era. Traditionally, acute complications of sickle cell disease includes acute chest syndrome, MI and stroke. In this report we present a case of an elderly man with sickle cell disease who presented with intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC); a rather rare and fatal complication of sickle cell hemoglobinopathy. The patient presented with jaundice and elevated bilirubin up to 53, his hospital course was complicated by coagulopathy and encephalopathy, and expired on day 43 of presentation after failing multiple therapeutic interventions including exchange transfusion. In this report, we will provide literature review and discuss the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of intrahepatic cholestasis in the sickle cell population highlighting the need for immediate recognition and institution of therapy for this fatal complication of sickle cell disease, particularly in elderly populations with low metabolic reserve.

Rare but Lethal Hepatopathy-Sickle Cell Intrahepatic Cholestasis and Management Strategies

Patient: Male, 31

Final Diagnosis: Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis

Symptoms: Abdominal pain • fever • jaundice

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Exchange transfusion

Specialty: Hematology