Gastrointestinal vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease

Abstract

Although rare, gastrointestinal vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease results in potentially life-threatening ischemia and death. Here we present a case of a 34-year-old patient with sickle cell disease who developed an acute pain crisis complicated by hypovolemia, hypoxia, and hypotension. The patient was treated with supportive measures. Diagnosis can be challenging and difficult to differentiate from usual pain crisis.

Keywords:

• Girdle syndrome
• ischemic bowel
• sickle cell disease
• vaso-occlusive crisis