Pediatric Acute Chest Syndrome

  • Etiology: in sickle cell disease, pulmonary thrombotic crisis resulting in micro-infarcts precipitated by infection
  • CXR: infiltrates + atelectasis, H-shaped vertebrae

Radiology Cases of Acute Chest Syndrome

CXR of acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease
CXR AP shows bibasilar infiltrates, right greater than left, and a small right pleural effusion.
CXR of acute chest syndrome
CXR AP (left) shows a dense opacity in the left lower lobe which on the lateral (right) is seen to be located posteriorly, causing a spine sign. The lateral radiograph also shows the T8 and T10 vertebral bodes to be H-shaped.
CXR of H-shaped vertebral bodies in sickle cell disease
CXR AP (left) shows opacity in the left lower lobe that on the lateral (middle) is located posteriorly (spine sign). The vertebral bodies (right) have an H-shaped appearance throughout the thoracic and lumbar spine.