Roentgen Findings in Sickle-Cell Anemia

Abstract

The authors describe the roentgenographic findings in 49 cases of sickle cell anemia of prolonged duration. The usual red blood count was less than 3,000,000. Cardiac enlargement is one of the most constant features of this disease, though the degree of enlargement varies considerably. The heart contour is globular, there is prominence in the pulmonary conus region and enlargement to the right and to the left. 11 of the 49 patients had clinical evidence of cardiac insufficiency, 2 with roentgenographic manifestations of pulmonary edema. The authors attributed the pulmonary findings in these 2 cases to sickle cell crises rather than to left ventricular insufficiency. In general, there was poor correlation between the presence and severity of roentgenographic findings and the severity or duration of the anemia. The presence of bone and joint pains, fever, leukocytosis, murmurs and cardiac enlargement also was suggestive of rheumatic cardiac involvement.