Sideroachrestic anemia with iron loading: treatment with desferrioxamine.

A case of nontransfusion-dependent sideroachrestic anemia (SA) with hemosiderosis is described that showed significant improvement of hemosiderosis and fibrosis of the liver following treatment with desferrioxamine. The anemia, although not transfusion dependent, did not allow continued therapy with phlebotomies. Following the removal of about 16 g iron over 4.5 years, normalization of serum ferritin and reversal of fibrosis of the liver were observed. Management problems and the prognostic implications of desferrioxamine therapy are discussed.