Calcified pulmonary thromboembolism in a child with sickle cell disease: value of multidetector CT in patients with acute chest syndrome

Pediatr Radiol. 2006 Jun;36(6):561-3. doi: 10.1007/s00247-006-0161-y. Epub 2006 Apr 20.

Abstract

The incidence of pulmonary embolism in children is not clearly known, but is believed to be low. Risk factors for pulmonary thromboembolism include central venous catheter, malignancy, surgery, infection, trauma, and congenital hypercoagulable disorders. Children with sickle cell disease are prothrombotic and are at an increased risk of thromboembolism. The incidence of this event is unknown because these children are often not thoroughly imaged. We report here a case of a calcified pulmonary thromboembolism in a child with sickle cell disease and emphasize the use of multidetector CT in detection of pulmonary thromboembolism in children with sickle cell disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications*
  • Calcinosis / complications
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pleural Effusion / complications
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods