Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease in Medicine / Internal Medicine — 20yo Woman | Hematology | SMLE Q#17264
SMLE Question #17264
Medicine / Internal Medicine
Hematology
Objective: OBJ-101
Last updated: February 2026
A 20-year-old woman with homozygous sickle cell disease attends routine follow-up for recurrent painful vaso-occlusive crises. Examination shows mild scleral icterus and no palpable spleen. A peripheral blood film shows sickled erythrocytes, target cells, and Howell–Jolly bodies. Which of the following best explains the presence of Howell–Jolly bodies in this patient?
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