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IntroductionSickle Cell Disease (SCD) ranks among the most prevalent genetic disorders globally. The incidence in sub-Saharan African countries has been estimated to be 230.000/y with a high prevalence (1%) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Stroke is a significant complication of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), and carries a high risk of disability and mortality. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is currently the non-invasive exploration recommended for the prevention of stroke in young SCD patients.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of pathological TCD in a population of young Congolese SCA patients and to assess its association with hematological parameters.Population and methodsThis cross sectional study was carried out on 150 Congolese SS homozygous children between the ages 2–16 years old (mean age: 8.5 ± 4.0 years) in stable condition, and followed from January 1 to December 31, 2013. TCD was performed using the STOP I method in the main cerebral arteries. The risk of stroke was absent when the average maximum speed during a cycle (TAMMV) in middle cerebral artery (MCA) was < 170 cm/s, but present when TAMMV was borderline or conditional for values between 170 and 199 cm/s and pathological for values ≥ 200 cm/s.ResultsThe prevalence of pathological TCD was 4% while the conditional TCD prevalence was 10%. The Mean blood velocity in MCA was 114.0 cm/s. There was a significant difference in the means of WBC (p = 0.003), Hb (p < 0.001), Hct (p < 0.001), MCV (p = 0.005) parameters when comparing normal and at risk TCD (conditional and abnormal). However, no significant association was found for the categorical corresponding parametersConclusionGlobally, 14% of patients were at risk of stroke, hence the interest in integrating TCD in the routine monitoring of children with SCD in order to prevent overt stroke by implementing a chronic blood transfusion program or the use of hydroxycarbamide.

Introduction: the main purpose of this study is to describe chest computed tomography (CT) findings in 26 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at the University Clinics in Kinshasa (UCK)., Methods: we conducted a descriptive study of chest CT findings in 26 patients hospitalized with coronavirus pneumonia at the UCK over a 9-month period, from March 17 to November 17, 2020. Hitachi - CT-scanner 16 slice was used in all our patients. After analyzing lesions, these were divided into lesions suggestive and non-suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection., Results: the average age of patients was 53.02 years. Male sex was the most affected (76.9%). Respiratory distress was the most common clinical symptom (61.5%). Arterial hypertension and renal failure were the most common comorbidities (3O% and 6%). Bilateral ground-glass opacities, with a predominantly peripheral distribution, accounted for 69.2% of cases, followed by condensations (57.7%) and crazy paving (19.2%). Severe COVID-19 was most frequently found (34.61%). Distal and proximal pulmonary embolism was the most common complication (11.5%). Among the associated diseases, pleurisy and pulmonary PAH were most frequently found (30.8%). The majority of our patients had parenchymal lung lesions, corresponding to early-stage disease on CT (50%)., Conclusion: at the UCK, during the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, lesions on CT suggestive of COVID-19 were dominated by plaque-like ground-glass opacities, followed by nonsystematized parenchymatous condensations and crazy paving. The less observed atypical lesions consisted of unilateral, peribronchovascular pseudo-nodular condensations and infection in the remodeled lung. Severe COVID-19 was the most common CT finding. Proximal and distal pulmonary embolism was the most common complication. This study highlights that these findings are consistent with those reported in the literature., Competing Interests: Les auteurs ne déclarent aucun conflit d'intérêts., (Copyright: Frederick Tshibasu Tshienda et al.)