Facial bone infarcts in sickle cell syndromes

Bone infarction in the sickle cell syndromes (sickle cell anemia, sickle beta thalassemia, and sickle C disease) is common in the long bones, but the facial bones, particularly the orbits, are infrequently involved. In a review of the literature, only 13 cases of facial bone infarcts in sickle cell syndromes were found. Seven episodes of facial bone infarcts--four orbital, two mandibular, and one in the zygomatic arch--in six patients encountered at the authors' institution are reported. Five patients had hemoglobin SS, and one had hemoglobin SC. Bone marrow scans were positive for infarction in five of the six episodes during which they were obtained, which highlights the usefulness of this technique in the diagnosis of facial bone infarction.