%0 Journal Article
%T Splenic Syndrome in a Young Man at High Altitude with Undetected Sickle Cell Trait
%A AP Upasena
%A CHKA Fernando
%A D Moratuwagama
%A HS Williams
%A S Mendis
%A YJ Costa
%J Journal of Patient Experience
%@ 2374-3743
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/2374373517747905
%X Splenic syndrome is a rare presentation of sickle cell disease. It is important to rule out this possibility when an ethnically vulnerable patient presents with an acute abdominal symptoms in a background of precipitating events. A 26-year-old man who developed a severe abdominal pain at high altitude, found to have a tender splenomegaly. However, further inquiry revealed he is from an area where sickle cell disease is prevalent. Screening for sickle cell disease was positive. Radiological investigations confirmed a massive splenic infarction keeping with a diagnosis of splenic syndrome. Patient was managed conservatively. Sickle cell trait is considered a benign carrier state. However, rarely they can present with life-threatening conditions. Therefore, a high degree of clinical suspicion is required for early diagnosis of these specific entities to avoid increased morbidity and mortality of these patients
%K sickle cell trait
%K high altitude
%K splenic syndrome
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2374373517747905