Hereditary Spherocytosis in a Middle-aged Man Complicated with Common Bile Duct Stones

Hiroaki Sawahara1, Masaya Iwamuro, Ryo Harada

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan.

Hereditary spherocytosis is the most common form of hemolytic anemia and is characterized by spherical, osmotically fragile erythrocytes that are selectively trapped by the spleen. Hereditary spherocytosis is typically diagnosed in childhood. We herein experienced a rare case of hereditary spherocytosis diagnosed in middle age. The patient presented with cholelithiasis and hyperbilirubinemia. He had no anemia and was asymptomatic with mild splenomegaly. In the differential diagnosis of these symptoms, the possibility of hereditary spherocytosis should be considered, even in patients who are middle-aged and lack anemia.

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