Imaging Studies
Imaging studies play a significant role in the diagnosis of sickle cell anemia in patients includes the following:
Radiography
Chest x-rays
X-rays are performed in patients with respiratory symptoms
MRI
MRI is useful for early detection of bone marrow changes. These changes may occur due to acute and chronic bone marrow infarction, osteomyelitis, marrow hyperplasia, and osteonecrosis
CT scanning
CT scanning demonstrates the subtle regions of osteonecrosis in patients who are unable to have an MRI.
Nuclear medicine scanning
99mTc bone scanning is used to detect the early stages of osteonecrosis. Moreover, 111In WBC scanning is used for diagnosing osteomyelitis due to sickle cell anemia.
Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography
It identifies the children with sickle cell anemia at high risk for stroke
Abdominal ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography is used to rule out cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, or an ectopic pregnancy to measure spleen and liver size
Echocardiography
It Identifies the patients with pulmonary hypertension