AbstractBackground: The prevalence of stroke among sickle cell anemia (SCA) children in Nigeria, is between 4.3 - 5.2%. Transcranial Color Doppler (TCCD) could identify those at the highest risk for stroke. Demand for TCCD imaging technique is on the increase since non-imaging Transcranial Doppler (TCD) equipment are not available in many radiology departments.
Objectives: To evaluate the hemodynamic changes in the cerebral blood flow of children with SCA by measuring the Peak Systolic Velocity and Time Average Mean Maximum Velocity of the middle and anterior cerebral arteries
Methodology: One hundred subjects, consisting of 50 SCA patients and 50 controls were recruited from LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The PSV and TAMMX, of the MCA and ACA of these subjects, were assessed using the TCD imaging technique. Results were analyzed using SPSS (version 20)
Results: Increased TAMMX values of the SCA subjects were observed in all the vessels when compared with the control group with p<0.001 (except in the right ACA with p>0.05). PSV values in the MCA and ACA of SCA cases were also significantly higher than the control group p<0.001 (except in the right ACA with p>0.05). PSV also correlates well with TAMMX in all vessels. The average values of the assessed parameters are higher compared to values documented in developed countries.
Conclusion: TCCD imaging technique is equally a vital tool for the assessment of the hemodynamic changes in the MCA and ACA of SCA pediatric age group where non-imaging technique is not available in radiology departments.
