Transcranial doppler utrasonography in thalassemia and sickle cell anemia

Our study consisted of 50 patients with sickle cell anemia and beta thalassemia who received regular blood transfusion in the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department of Istanbul Medical Faculty, aged between 1-40 years and 17 healthy people as control group. Local Ethics Committee approval was obtained and informed consent form was obtained from the patients. Patients files were screened retrospectively. TD was performed to understand cerebrovascular events in a timely manner and to prevent possible events. Peak systolic flow velocity(PSFV) and Resistive Index (RI) values were determined at ICA (Internal carotid artery) and MCA (Middle cerebral artery) veins from both temporal regions using 'Toshiba Aplio 500 ultrasound system' at Department of Pediatric Radiology. Age, sex, diagnosis, transfusion status, clinical findings (headache, painful crises, leg ulcers, laboratory findings (Hb electrophoresis, Hb, PLT, WBC count, ferritin, splenectomy status (otosplenectomy, surgical splenectomy), drug use (chelation, hydroxyurea, aspirin, folic acid, zinc) were evaluated. Persons who don't have hemoglobinopathy and any risk factors for serebrovascular events are used as control group. Statistical analysis were done by using Mann-Whitney-U, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson correlation tests at SPSS program between TD results and patients' findings and control group.