Sickle cell disease

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Acute sickle cell crisis?

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Male

Chest

x-ray

Artifact from metal nose bridge in face mask.

Lungs clear.

Sclerotic bones.

Lower thoracic vertebral endplate depressions, not quite yet H-shaped vertebrae.

Case Discussion

A young patient from the appropriate ethnicity for sickle cell disease. The bones are diffusely sclerotic for a young patient.

Several of the superior endplates of the thoracic vertebrae are depressed (due to infarction from vaso-occlusive disease). None as yet are H-shaped.

In this setting or in an exam, other findings to look for include:

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