Fat embolism in hemoglobin SC disease: A case report with brief review of the literature

Abstract

Fat embolism is a known complication of bone marrow infarction in patients with sickle cell disease (hemoglobin SS and hemoglobin SC disease). We report a case of a 36-year-old woman with hemoglobin SC disease who presented with headache, nausea, and photophobia. The patient experienced hypoxic respiratory failure, anemia and thrombocytopenia and expired four days later. Postmortem examination revealed fat emboli in the lungs and brain. Although uncommon, fat embolism syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute complications with hemoglobin SC disease.