Acute chest syndrome

	Can look basically like pneumonia. 3rd leading cause of death in adults with suckle cell
Etiology	Pulmonary infiltration - similar to fat embolism
Epidemiology	30% of people with Sickle cell disease will have 1 episode in their life (!)
Clinical presentation	Fever, tachypnea, hypoxia, chest pain Ddx: every other cause of chest pain and hypoxia...
Pathogenesis	Infarcted area ⇒ further sickling
Diagnostic investigations	CXR: bilateral infiltrates → whiteout
Management	supplementary oxygen + incentive spirometry = prevent atelectasis • Analgesia: paracet+NSAID • Maintain hydration • Empirical abx usually given • F/u with disease-modifying therapy (hydroxycarbamide, blood transfusion)

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