Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Stroke in sickle cell disease in Africa: case report

J Makani1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P. O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

East African Medical Journal
|May 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Stroke is a major complication in sickle cell disease (SCD), affecting 10-25% of patients. Early identification and intervention strategies, like transcranial doppler ultrasonography, are crucial for managing stroke risk in SCD.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Hematology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with a high incidence of stroke, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.
  • Cerebral stenosis, particularly involving the circle of Willis, is a primary mechanism for stroke in pediatric SCD patients.

Observation:

  • A case report details a child with SCD experiencing cortical blindness and right-sided hemiplegia.
  • Brain imaging confirmed a left parietal and occipital lobe infarct.

Findings:

  • Stroke in SCD is multifactorial, necessitating identification of high-risk individuals.
  • Transcranial doppler ultrasonography is a valuable tool for risk stratification.
  • Effective primary and secondary intervention strategies exist for SCD-related stroke.

Implications:

  • Current findings underscore the need to integrate established stroke prevention strategies into SCD management guidelines.
  • Further research is required to inform healthcare policy and optimize patient care for stroke in SCD.

More Related Videos

Magnetic Levitation Coupled with Portable Imaging and Analysis for Disease Diagnostics07:42

Magnetic Levitation Coupled with Portable Imaging and Analysis for Disease Diagnostics

Published on: February 19, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Stroke: Introduction and Types01:29

Stroke: Introduction and Types

A stroke is an acute neurological event caused by the sudden disruption of cerebral blood flow, leading to rapid loss of neuronal function. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief interruptions can cause irreversible injury within minutes. Strokes are classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic types.Ischemic StrokeIschemic strokes are most common and occur due to arterial occlusion, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This leads to energy failure, ionic...
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction01:15

Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:15

Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...