Pulmonary infarction in sickle cell trait

A young black man presented with unexplained pleuritic chest pain. A hematologic evaluation revealed sickle cell trait, Chest roentgenograms, ventilation/perfusion lung scanning and a pleural-parenchymal lung biopsy documented pulmonary infarction. Sickle cell trait with resultant pulmonary infarction should be considered in black subjects with unexplained pulmonary diseases.