Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the presence of Howell-Jolly bodies (HJb) and spleen volume and to assess the change in spleen volume during the course of treatment. Methods: The study included 39 patients (28 male, 11 female), with a spleen volume of ≤100 cm3. HJb were detected on a peripheral blood smear (performed at least twice) and spleen volume was determined by CT. Moreover, the change in the spleen volume of HJb-positive patients was assessed by several CTs. Results: The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the presence of HJb on peripheral blood smear tests: group I, HJb were detected during all peripheral blood smear tests; group II, HJb were detected during at least one of the tests; and group III, HJb were not detected during any test. The mean spleen volumes of the male patients in groups I, II, and III were 25.6 cm3, 45.3 cm3, and 71.1 cm3, respectively. The mean spleen volumes of the female patients in groups II and III were 59.8 cm3 and 62.2 cm3, respectively. Group I had no female patients. Changes in spleen volume were studied in 11 patients. The spleen volume remained almost constant in 8 patients and increased by 2-fold in 3 patients because of congestion. Conclusion: Our results suggest a correlation between the appearance of HJb and spleen volume in male patients. The spleen volume did not change in most cases, when the general condition of the patients was stable. The appearance of HJb and spleen volume may be indications of the immunological function of the spleen.
