HEADACHE AND SCALP EDEMA IN SICKLE-CELL DISEASE

Background: Major neurological complications of sickle cell disease in clude cerebral infarction and intracranial hemorrhages. Methods: We de scribe the case of a 25-year-old man with sickle cell disease who deve loped a severe headache of acute onset, located at the vertex. There w as associated pitting edema of the scalp. Results: Technetium and gall ium bone imaging showed focal decreased uptake of the tracers, consist ent with a recent fronto-parietal skull infarction. Management include d intravenous hydration and analgesic medication. Conclusions: In addi tion to the more common intracranial vaso-occlusive complications, sku ll infarction should be considered as a cause of new-onset headache in patients with sickle cell disease, especially if scalp edema is prese nt.