title: The spine in sickle cell disease.
abstract: Bone changes in sickle cell disease occur due to marrow hyperplasia, tissue ischaemia and infarction due to vaso-occlusion. Between 1982 and 1991 thirty four patients were treated in the Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Departments of the Kind Fahd University Hospital, Al-Khobar, with spinal complications due to sickle cell disease. There were 21 males and 13 females aged between 4 and 28 years (mean 17.4 years). Structural changes in the vertebral bodies due to marrow hyperplasia occurred in 44% of the patients. Avascular necrosis leading to collapse of the vertebral bodies was seen in 9 (27%) patients. Infective spondylitis was the most serious complication seen in 8 (24%) patients; the majority needed anterolateral decompression and bone grafting. The spine is often affected in sickle cell disease and aggressive treatment with close follow-up is required to avoid disabling complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadat-Ali
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ammar
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Corea
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000150:complications; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000209:etiology