Sickle Cell Disease and Stroke

Cerebral infarction is a common complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) and may manifest as overt stroke or cognitive impairment associated with ‘silent’ cerebral infarction (SCI) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Vasculopathy may be diagnosed on transcranial Doppler (TCD) or MR angiography (MRA). The risk factors in SCD for cognitive impairment, overt ischemic stroke, SCI, overt hemorrhagic stroke and vasculopathy defined by TCD or M RA overlap, with severe acute and chronic anemia, acute chest crisis, reticulocytosis and low oxygen saturation reported with the majority.
Source: Pediatric Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Review Article Source Type: research