What is a manifestation of vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease?

In sickle cell disease, vaso-occlusive crisis refers to the blockage of blood vessels due to the sickling of red blood cells, which can lead to intense pain and tissue ischemia. One of the hallmark manifestations of this crisis is the painful swelling of the hands and feet, often referred to as dactylitis. This occurs due to the obstruction of blood flow and subsequent inflammation in the small blood vessels of the extremities, leading to pain and edema.

This manifestation is particularly significant in sickle cell disease because it is directly tied to the primary pathology of the illness — the sickling of red blood cells under conditions of low oxygen, which can trigger the vaso-occlusive events throughout the body. The painful swelling is not only indicative of acute crises but can also serve as an early sign of impending complications in patients with sickle cell disease.

Other manifestations such as excessive fatigue, decreased appetite, or blurred vision may be associated with sickle cell disease in general but are not direct manifestations of a vaso-occlusive crisis. Fatigue can stem from chronic anemia related to the disease, decreased appetite may result from various factors including pain or illness, and blurred vision could be associated with complications like retinopathy or transient ischemic attacks but