Sickle cell disease and jawbone osteomyelitis: case report and literature review

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) can manifest with vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in various anatomical locations. In this case, a mandibular osteomyelitis developed following a VOC but was initially misdiagnosed due to a lack of specific clinical and radiological indicators. This case report is accompanied by a brief review that highlights potential warning signs shared among similar cases, with the aim of aiding early identification and diagnosis. Observation: A 22-year-old male with SCD of Congolese origin was initially referred to the dental service at Henri Mondor Hospital for facial cellulitis during his hospitalization for a hip vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). Due to the absence of specific clinical and radiological findings, a dental origin was initially suspected. However, as the patient's condition deteriorated, a diagnosis of mandibular osteomyelitis was eventually established. In addition to antibiotic therapy, a sequestrectomy was performed under general anaesthesia. Delayed healing was observed. Conclusion: Diagnosis osteomyelitis of jawbone in SCD patients can be challenging, as clinical and radiological signs may not always be evident. Dental practitioners and oral surgeons should be vigilant when managing these patients, as complications like mandibular osteomyelitis may present similarly to dental conditions but require prompt investigation and intervention to prevent serious health consequences.