The other side of abnormal: a case series of low transcranial Doppler velocities associated with stroke in children with sickle cell disease.

The prevalence of cerebrovascular events in sickle cell disease (SCD) can be as low as 10% by the age of 18 for overt cerebral infarction or strokes, up to 35% for silent cerebral infarction, and as high as 43/100 patient years for acute silent cerebral ischemic events. These events typically occur during childhood with a peak incidence between the age of 4 and 7 years. The cumulative risk of central nervous system events in SCD increases with age. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography is an established screening tool for detecting children with SCD at highest risk for stroke by measuring the flow velocity in the large intracranial vessels. Velocities are considered abnormal with readings >200 cm/s and chronic red cell transfusions are recommended to reduce further risk or progression. Red cell transfusions have reduced the rate of cerebrovascular accidents by 90%. We describe the case of 5 children with sickle cell anemia, whose antecedent screening TCD velocities were measured to be ≤70 cm/s in the study. All patients developed some form of cerebral insults, an overt cerebral infarctions, silent stroke or transient ischemic attack, and are now receiving chronic transfusion to prevent further progression. On the basis of these cases, low TCD velocities may identify another group of children at risk for cerebrovascular disease. We suggest TCD velocities <70 cm/s in major vessels (MCA, ACA, and ICA) be considered another type of "abnormal," prompting more sensitive evaluations (such as a brain MRI and MRA) for the presence of central nervous system disease, and, if negative, decrease intervals between subsequent TCD assessments.