Splenic Syndrome in a Young Man at High Altitude with Undetected Sickle Cell Trait

• Main Authors: CHKA Fernando MBBS, MD, S Mendis MBBS, MD, AP Upasena MBBS, MD, YJ Costa MBBS, MD, HS Williams MBBS, MD, FRCPath, D Moratuwagama MBBS, MD, FRCPath
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2018-06-01
• Series: Journal of Patient Experience
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373517747905
• ISSN: 2374-3743; 2374-3735

Introduction: Splenic syndrome is a rare presentation of sickle cell disease. It is important to rule out this possibility when an ethnically vulnerable patient presents with an acute abdominal symptoms in a background of precipitating events. Case Report: A 26-year-old man who developed a severe abdominal pain at high altitude, found to have a tender splenomegaly. However, further inquiry revealed he is from an area where sickle cell disease is prevalent. Screening for sickle cell disease was positive. Radiological investigations confirmed a massive splenic infarction keeping with a diagnosis of splenic syndrome. Patient was managed conservatively. Conclusion: Sickle cell trait is considered a benign carrier state. However, rarely they can present with life-threatening conditions. Therefore, a high degree of clinical suspicion is required for early diagnosis of these specific entities to avoid increased morbidity and mortality of these patients.