Best Case Ever 38 Sickle Cell Acute Chest Syndrome

Sickle Cell Acute Chest Syndrome remains the leading cause of death in patients suffering from Sickle Cell Disease. In his Best Case Ever, Dr. Richard Ward, a hematologist with a special interest in Sickle Cell Disease, describes a case of a Sickle Cell Disease patient who presents with what appears to be a simple pain crisis, but turns out to be a devastating Acute Chest Syndrome. He gives us the key clinical pearls and pitfalls to make this often elusive diagnosis early so that life-saving treatment can be initiated in a timely manner. This is in anticipation of the upcoming episode on The Emergency Management of Sickle Cell Pain Crisis with Dr. Ward and Dr. John Foote.

Main Episode 68 on Sickle Cell Management in the ED



Published August 2015

 

Additional Resources for Sickle Cell Acute Chest Synrdrome



* Full pdf of Canadian Sickle Cell Consensus Guidelines

* Excellent FOAMed review of Sickle Cell Acute Pain Syndrome at Ped EM Morsels

* Update 2016: The SGEM reviews literature on indications for CXR in pediatric sickle cell ED presentations





Dr. Helman & Dr. Ward have no conflicts of interest to declare