BILATERAL PULMONARY EMBOLISM MIMICKING ACUTE CHEST SYNDROME IN A PATIENT WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE: ACASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract This case report discusses a 24-year-old female with sickle cell disease (SCD) who developed bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE), mimicking acute chest syndrome (ACS) following a cholecystectomy. Despite initial treatment for ACS, the patient's condition deteriorated, leading to a diagnosis of massive bilateral PE via chest CT angiography. The report underscores the importance of considering PE in SCD patients with respiratory symptoms unresponsive to standard ACS treatment. It highlights the hypercoagulable state in SCD, which increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, including PE. The case emphasizes the necessity for heightened clinical suspicion and appropriate diagnostic measures to improve patient outcomes. Unfortunately, the patient succumbed to septic shock despite aggressive management. This report advocates for comprehensive evaluation strategies in similar clinical scenarios to prevent misdiagnosis and improve survival rates.