The red blood cells are normally round or disc-shaped with a concave center. A genetic disorder called spherocytosis can result in red blood cells that are more spherical in shape, which can lead to lower numbers of red blood cells or anemia due to the spleen filtering out the misshapen cells from the blood. Danny Shouhed, M.D. is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in treating spleen disorders. If you or your child was born with spherocytosis, treatment is available at Dr. Shouhed’s office in Los Angeles.
Spherocytosis is present from birth, but there may not be symptoms until adulthood in some patients. There are mild, moderate and severe cases of spherocytosis and often, the symptoms may become apparent after a severe infection.
The spleen can contribute to increased symptoms of spherocytosis, including anemia. The sphere-shaped red blood cells can become trapped in the spleen, resulting in an enlarged spleen and anemia. For severe spherocytosis, a splenectomy may be recommended to stop the destruction of red blood cells and to address the splenomegaly, or an enlarged spleen. While the misshapen red blood cells will still exist after the spleen is removed, it can relieve anemia and risks from splenomegaly.
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If you or your child have spherocytosis, treatment is available to protect your health. To learn more about your blood disease and the possible treatments, contact our office in Los Angeles. Danny Shouhed, M.D. is a top abdominal surgeon who specializes in minimally-invasive and robotic surgery, including splenectomy. Call our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shouhed to discuss your treatment options and whether a splenectomy may be right for you.
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