Headache and scalp edema in sickle cell disease.
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.
Pari
G
G
Department of Neurology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Schipper
H M
HM
D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006261:Headache / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006450:Hemoglobin SC Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012535:Scalp / Q000473:pathology*