Studies of the Production and Life Span of Erythrocytes in Myeloid Metaplasia

1. Four patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia and one patient with polycythemia vera and myeloid metaplasia were studied with Fe⁵⁹, Cr⁵¹ and glycine-2-C¹⁴.

2. Three of the patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia had active splenic, hepatic or renal erythropoiesis. One had deficient erythropoiesis.

3. The red cell life span was short in all of the patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, definite splenic sequestration occurring in two patients. The red cell life span was normal in the patient with polycythemia vera and myeloid metaplasia.

4. The possible indications for splenectomy were discussed.