Abstract This paper is a case study of a 37-year old African-American male with a diagnosed case of sickle-cell anemia who presents himself to the emergency department with changes in sensorium of two days duration. It examines his symptoms, follows his admission procedure and discusses the virulence factors of sickle-cell anemia.
From the Paper "Upon admission, he was stretcher-borne and noted to be unconscious and unresponsive to verbal commands but localized painful stimuli. Vital signs were: HR 104, RR 25, BP 126/78, T 102oF. Physical examination was significant for nuchal rigidity, Brudzinski's and Kernig's sign. A limited neurological examination revealed no papilledema, bilateral hyperreflexia and dorsifexion of the big toe; no localizing signs were noted. A peripheral line was immediately established and a ceftriaxone loading dose was given followed by vancomycin. A non-contrast cranial CT scan revealed a resolving paranasal sinusitis; no mass lesions or midline shifts were noted. "
