Myonecrosis and Myofibrosis as Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia

doi:10.1059/0003-4819-115-2-99

Myonecrosis and Myofibrosis as Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia

Joanne Valeriano-Marcet, MD; and
Leslie Dubin Kerr, MD

Abstract

▪ Painful crises in sickle cell anemia are associated with infarction and subsequent fibrosis of many different organs. Myonecrosis secondary to muscle infarction during a crisis and subsequent fibrosis are often not recognized as complications of sickle cell anemia. We describe four patients, all of whom had recurrent episodes of symmetric proximal muscle pain and swelling as prominent features of their crises. Muscle biopsies showed acute myonecrosis with a minimal inflammatory reaction as well as myofibrosis with abundant collagen deposition. Chronic sequelae consisted of muscle induration, atrophy, and contractures.

Article and Author Information

From Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York. For current author addresses, see end of text.
Requests for Reprints: Leslie D. Kerr, MD, Division of Rheumatology, Box 1244, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029.
Current Author Addresses: Drs. Valeriano-Marcet and Kerr: Division of Rheumatology, Box 1244, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029.