Sickle cell disease

Abstract

A 20-year-old African American female, with a history of sickle cell disease (SCD) diagnosed at birth, was assessed preoperatively prior to planned elective cholecystectomy. She indicated that she had had two episodes of acute abdominal pain in the last month. There was concern that her symptoms were the harbinger of an impending vaso-occlusive crisis. However, subsequent ultrasound examination found a sonographic Murphy's sign, cholelithiasis, a thickened gall bladder wall (>3 mm), and a collection of pericholecystic fluid. A diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made, and the patient was schedule for cholecystectomy. Her current medications included hydroxyurea, folic acid, and vitamin D.