The Curious Case of a Painful Leg Ulcer

Cureus. 2024 Feb 13;16(2):e54127. doi: 10.7759/cureus.54127. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is a condition that can involve numerous organ systems secondary to vascular occlusion. Herein, we present a case of a 21-year-old male with sickle cell disease requiring long-term hydroxyurea therapy. Upon migrating to the United States from Yemen, the patient developed a rapidly progressive, exquisitely painful ulcer on his right lower extremity. Given his country of origin, a broad differential, including select infectious diseases, was essential. Moreover, establishing the unequivocally correct diagnosis was crucial to determine proper and safe therapy. Ultimately, a lesional biopsy demonstrated numerous sickled red blood cells occluding blood vessels, leading to the diagnosis of sickle cell disease-related leg ulceration.

Keywords: derm path; hydroxyurea use; non-healing ulcer; non-malignant hematology; sickle cell disease complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports