Which site is commonly affected by vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease?

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Multiple Choice

Which site is commonly affected by vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease?

Vaso-occlusive crisis happens when sickled red blood cells block small vessels, causing tissue ischemia and severe pain. The hands and feet are the classic sites affected, especially in young children, where dactylitis presents as painful swelling of the fingers and toes. This happens because the bones of the extremities have active bone marrow and dense microvasculature that are particularly vulnerable to occlusion, leading to infarction and swelling. Fever, rash, or shortness of breath aren’t describing the site of a VOC; fever can signal infection, rash isn’t typical of VOC, and shortness of breath points to chest involvement rather than a local extremity pain site.

Vaso-occlusive crisis happens when sickled red blood cells block small vessels, causing tissue ischemia and severe pain. The hands and feet are the classic sites affected, especially in young children, where dactylitis presents as painful swelling of the fingers and toes. This happens because the bones of the extremities have active bone marrow and dense microvasculature that are particularly vulnerable to occlusion, leading to infarction and swelling. Fever, rash, or shortness of breath aren’t describing the site of a VOC; fever can signal infection, rash isn’t typical of VOC, and shortness of breath points to chest involvement rather than a local extremity pain site.

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