Hereditary spherocytosis and gallstones formation
Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a heterogeneous group of hemolytic anemia caused by deficiency or dysfunction of red blood cell (RBC) cytoskeletal proteins. It is a common disorder located mostly in Caucasian population; most affected individuals have mild or only moderate hemolysis. In a few rare cases, the measurement of RBC membrane proteins is required to clarify the nature of the membrane disorder in absence of the family history. Patients with HS are at more risk of developing gallstones, whose prevention represents a major impetus for splenectomy in such patients.