Acute Soft Head Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease in Qatif Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia—Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Acute soft head syndrome or sickle cell cephalohematoma is not a common sequel or complication of Sickle cell disease (SCD). Here we describe a case report of a 15-year old Saudi male with sickle cell disease who presented with generalized vaso-occlusive crisis. 48 hours post admission, he developed generalized scalp swelling which is consistent with one of the rare complications of sickle cell disease, acute soft head syndrome. The patient was treated conservatively, without aspiration of the scalp swelling. This case draws attention that acute soft head syndrome should be one of the differential diagnoses of scalp pain and swelling in patients with sickle cell disease.