Testicular Infarction in a Sickle Cell Hemoglobinopathy Patient: A Case Report

Vaso-occlusive phenomena in sickle cell disease lead to ischemia and possible infarction of the affected organ. We report a case of a 20-year-old Saudi male known to have homozygous sickle cell hemoglobinopathy who was admitted to our institution with abdominal pain. One day post admission, the patient developed left testicular pain. Ultrasound showed decreased echogenicity, and Doppler examination showed absent blood flow in the left testicle. Left radical orchidectomy was done, and histopathological assessment revealed ischemic necrosis with sickled red blood cells (RBCs). A few studies have been reported worldwide suggesting that a vaso-occlusive event is the mainstay mechanism in such cases. This is the first case reported in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.