Sickle cell disease is a hemoglobinopathy that results in paroxysmal vascular\nocclusion and tissue infarction that can manifest in a plurality of tissues. Vasoocclusive\ncrises in sickle cell disease commonly involve bone marrow of the\nlong bones and vertebrae. Involvement of bones with less marrow space, including\nthe bones of the orbit, is reported rarely in the literature and can\nclosely mimic orbital cellulitis, both clinically and radiologically. The present\ncase is a 3 years old boy, a known case of sickle cell disease, who presented\nwith what was thought to be orbital cellulitis and was treated accordingly.\nSubtle radiologic features of sickle cell orbitopathy were initially overlooked,\nresulting in an incorrect diagnosis and a treatment delay for the patient. Correctly\ntreated most cases resolve with no adverse effects. This case highlights\nthe importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion in patients with\nknown sickle cell disease, even when the presentation is not classic.
Loading....