title: Sickle cell trait: not as benign as once thought.
abstract: We describe a case of renal papillary necrosis in a middle-aged female with sickle cell trait who presented with gross hematuria. We wish to highlight this case for several reasons. Sickle cell trait is often viewed as a benign condition despite the fact that it is associated with significant morbidity such as renal papillary necrosis and renal medullary carcinoma. Appropriate evaluation needs to be undertaken to promptly diagnose renal papillary necrosis and differentiate it from renal medullary carcinoma as this can result in deadly consequences for patients. CT urography has emerged as a diagnostic study to evaluate hematuria in such patients. We review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of renal papillary necrosis in patients with sickle cell trait.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Agnes Hospital Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA; uqba.md@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Uqba
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Agnes Hospital Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kleess
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Agnes Hospital Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Agnes Hospital Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berko
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Agnes Hospital Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Sapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuehl
keywords: CT urography; Sickle cell trait; renal papillary necrosis