Splenic Infarct Secondary to High Altitude Exposure in Sickle Cell Trait Patients: A Case Series

Abstract

The sickle cell trait is considered a benign entity that generally does not show clinical manifestations. However, some complications have been described under certain conditions, such as a decrease in oxygen level, dehydration, and strenuous physical efforts. Among them, splenic infarct is a rare complication that presents as left upper abdominal pain in a situation of stress such as high altitude exposure. We present two cases of splenic infarcts in patients with undiagnosed sickle cell trait who showed to our institution with severe abdominal pain after coming from high altitude cities.

Sickle Cell Trait, Clinical Manifestations and Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Furthermore, most literature is limited to case reports or series and a systematic review of cases. 1,[5][6][7][8][9] We did not find any reports or studies conducted in Colombia on patients with SCT.…”

“…7,15,16 Symptoms are common with exposure to low oxygen tension or altitude, including nonpressurized aircraft cabins, or in people exercising in mountains or the military in high-altitude locations. 7,16 When observing complications or manifestations, patients with SCT may present with splenic infarction, 6,9 venous thromboembolism (PE and DVT), 1,17 renal involvement (including proteinuria, hematuria, and chronic kidney disease), 1,18 rhabdomyolysis,19,20 sudden death, 21 and others; in paraclinical data, increased levels of bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and increased reticulocyte count have been described, and on some occasions, anemia has been observed. 18,22,23 Diagnostic confirmation of SCT is performed by hemoglobin electrophoresis in gel or capillary electrophoresis or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).…”