Journal of Clinical Case Reports

Spontaneous Subgaleal Hematoma: An Unusual Complication of Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Renee-Pier Fortin-Boudreault, Eden Story, Ewurabena Simpson, Donna Johnston and Christine Chretien

We report the case of a 17-year-old male with sickle cell disease who initially presented with headache and chest pain and subsequently developed fever and swelling of the scalp. On imaging, he was diagnosed with a subgaleal hematoma, and an underlying osteomyelitis could not be excluded. The patient was treated medically with analgesia, hydration and antibiotics and fully recovered. Spontaneous subgaleal hematomas are a rare complication of sickle cell disease with only few cases reported. Although it is thought to be associated with an underlying bone infarction, it is important to recognize this entity, as it can present with osteomyelitis or an epidural hematoma, which need prompt medical and in some cases surgical treatment.