American Journal of Neuroradiology 23:1692-1696, November-December 2002
© 2002 American Society of Neuroradiology
Case Report
PEDIATRICS
The Effect of Hydroxyurea on Vasculopathy in a Child with Sickle Cell Disease
a Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis
b Department of Hematology, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis
c Department of Neurology, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis
d Department of Neuro-Oncology, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis
e Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis
f Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis
g Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis
Address reprint requests to R. Grant Steen, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St Jude, Childrens Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105-2794
Summary: We report serial CNS findings in a girl with sickle cell disease and stroke. Religious considerations precluded transfusion and bone marrow transplantation; therefore, she received single-agent hydroxyurea therapy for almost 6 years. MR angiography showed that vascular patency improved, although diffuse cerebral atrophy slowly worsened. Hydroxyurea can be effective in treating vasculopathy, but it might not prevent the progression of parenchymal damage in advanced disease.