Macroscopic hematuria associated with sickle cell anemia trait: report of ten cases

Though currently asymptomatic, a sickle cell trait can be responsible for renal abnormalities with macroscopic hematuria. Ten patients were admitted to our department with gross hematuria in sickle trait. Six blacks men and four blacks women, aged from 17 to 53 years, had recurrent episodes of gross hematuria with clots in five patients with lumbar pain in four patients. Duration of gross hematuria varied from two weeks to two years. Imaging findings were normal. Urinary concentration ability was abnormally low in all patients but none had an impairement of the ability to dilute the urine or tubular dysfunction. Resolution of hematuria was obtained by abundant and alkaline hydratation in three patients. In six patients, aminocaproic acid was successfully employed, with a complete (3/6) or partial (3/6) efficiency. In one last patient, oral urea permitted a partial improvement. Combination of chemical and physical factors in renal medullary of sickle cell trait are responsible for gross hematuria and impaired capacity to concentrate the urine. A cautious care must still be given to make this association a diagnostic of exclusion. Clinical is usually benign. When resting and alkaline hydration are not sufficient to resolve hematuria, antifibrinolytic agents such as aprotinin, oral urea, urologic technical are sometimes necessary.