Patel JR, Montejano R, Hopkins C, Siatecka H, Rosen T. The Curious Case of a Painful Leg Ulcer.
Cureus 2024;
16:e54127. [PMID:
38487135 PMCID:
PMC10939161 DOI:
10.7759/cureus.54127]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease is a condition that can involve numerous organ systems secondary to vascular occlusion. Herein, we present a case of a 21-year-old male with sickle cell disease requiring long-term hydroxyurea therapy. Upon migrating to the United States from Yemen, the patient developed a rapidly progressive, exquisitely painful ulcer on his right lower extremity. Given his country of origin, a broad differential, including select infectious diseases, was essential. Moreover, establishing the unequivocally correct diagnosis was crucial to determine proper and safe therapy. Ultimately, a lesional biopsy demonstrated numerous sickled red blood cells occluding blood vessels, leading to the diagnosis of sickle cell disease-related leg ulceration.
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