Functional Asplenia in the Absence of Circulating Howell-Jolly Bodies

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Abstract
The term functional asplenia has been used to refer to anatomic presence of the spleen without the ability to accumulate intravenously administered radiocolloid. Functional asplenia had previously been invariably associated with the presence of Howell-Jolly bodies in circulating erythrocytes. The first documented instance of functional asplenia, without the presence of these intraerythrocytic inclusions, is described. The patient suffered acute cellac artery thrombosis. The sudden onset of splenic dysfunction, and accompanying infection, probably accounted for the lack of Howell-Jolly bodies.

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