Sickle cell trait: not as benign as once thought

We describe a case of renal papillary necrosis in a middle-aged female with sickle cell trait who presented with gross hematuria. We wish to highlight this case for several reasons. Sickle cell trait is often viewed as a benign condition despite the fact that it is associated with significant morbid...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Uqba Khan, Lauren Kleess, Justin Yeh, Charles Berko, Sapna Kuehl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Greater Baltimore Medical Center 2014-11-01
Series:Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jchimp.net/index.php/jchimp/article/download/25418/pdf_1
Description
Summary:We describe a case of renal papillary necrosis in a middle-aged female with sickle cell trait who presented with gross hematuria. We wish to highlight this case for several reasons. Sickle cell trait is often viewed as a benign condition despite the fact that it is associated with significant morbidity such as renal papillary necrosis and renal medullary carcinoma. Appropriate evaluation needs to be undertaken to promptly diagnose renal papillary necrosis and differentiate it from renal medullary carcinoma as this can result in deadly consequences for patients. CT urography has emerged as a diagnostic study to evaluate hematuria in such patients. We review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of renal papillary necrosis in patients with sickle cell trait.
ISSN:2000-9666