Splenic infarction at low altitude in a child with hemoglobin S-C disease.

Abstract

We describe a 15-year-old black boy with hemoglobin S-C disease living in Atlanta (altitude 1,034 ft), with no prior history of aircraft or mountain travel, who developed splenic infarction. The clinical picture was characterized by severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain, fever, splenomegaly, and hematologic and scintigraphic evidence of functional asplenia. The diagnosis was suggested by liver/spleen scintigraphy and further confirmed by ultrasonography and computerized tomography (CT) of the spleen. Treatment consisted of analgesics, intravenous fluids, and short-term antibiotic therapy. The child recovered without sequelae.

• Authors: C S Alvarado, B Wyly, I Buchanan, W A Fajman
• Journal: Clinical pediatrics (Clin Pediatr (Phila)) Vol. 27 Issue 8 Pg. 396-9 (Aug 1988) ISSN: 0009-9228 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3042248 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Altitude
• Anemia, Sickle Cell (complications)
• Hemoglobin SC Disease (complications)
• Humans
• Male
• Radionuclide Imaging
• Spleen (diagnostic imaging)
• Splenic Infarction (diagnosis, etiology, therapy)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Ultrasonography