Successful Use of Granulocyte Transfusion Therapy as a Bridge to
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in a Child with Aplastic Anemia and
Refractory Perirectal Abscess
Abstract
This brief report describes the use of adjuvant granulocyte transfusion
therapy to successfully treat antibiotic refractory proctitis with
perirectal abscess in a child with very severe aplastic anemia (vsAA).
She was not expected to have imminent neutrophil recovery, which by
current practice guidelines is a prerequisite for the consideration of
granulocyte transfusion; however, the risk of bowel perforation
potentially hastened by conditioning and/or engraftment precluded
curative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, presenting a
significant treatment conundrum. This case highlights an expanded
clinical indication for granulocyte therapy in a uniquely vulnerable
patient population.