G Pari1, H M Schipper. 1. Department of Neurology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Major neurological complications of sickle cell disease include cerebral infarction and intracranial hemorrhages. METHODS: We describe the case of a 25-year-old man with sickle cell disease who developed a severe headache of acute onset, located at the vertex. There was associated pitting edema of the scalp. RESULTS: Technetium and gallium bone imaging showed focal decreased uptake of the tracers, consistent with a recent fronto-parietal skull infarction. Management included intravenous hydration and analgesic medication. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the more common intracranail vaso-occlusive complications, skull infarction should be considered as a cause of newonset headache in patients with sickle cell disease, especially if scalp edema is present.
BACKGROUND: Major neurological complications of sickle cell disease include cerebral infarction and intracranial hemorrhages. METHODS: We describe the case of a 25-year-old man with sickle cell disease who developed a severe headache of acute onset, located at the vertex. There was associated pitting edema of the scalp. RESULTS:Technetium and gallium bone imaging showed focal decreased uptake of the tracers, consistent with a recent fronto-parietal skull infarction. Management included intravenous hydration and analgesic medication. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the more common intracranail vaso-occlusive complications, skull infarction should be considered as a cause of newonset headache in patients with sickle cell disease, especially if scalp edema is present.
Authors: Alison E Niebanck; Avrum N Pollock; Kim Smith-Whitley; Leslie J Raffini; Robert A Zimmerman; Kwaku Ohene-Frempong; Janet L Kwiatkowski Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 4.406