Hyperemic peripheral red marrow in a patient with sickle cell anemia demonstrated on Tc-99m labeled red blood cell venography.
A 25-year-old gravid woman, homozygous for sickle cell anemia, with a history of recent deep venous thrombosis, was examined using Tc-99m labeled red blood cell venography for recurrent thrombosis. Although negative for thrombus, the study presented an unusual incidental finding: the patient's peripheral bone marrow was hyperemic in a distribution consistent with peripheral red bone marrow expansion. Such a pattern has not been documented before using this technique. This report supports other literature that has demonstrated hyperemia of peripheral red bone marrow in other hemolytic anemias. This finding may ultimately define an additional role of scintigraphy in assessing the pathophysiologic status of the sickle cell patient.
Heiden
R A
RA
Department of Radiology, Harlem Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10037.
Locko
R C
RC
Stent
T R
TR
D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000098:blood supply*; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013667:Technetium; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D013667:Technetium