Cerebrovascular complications with their locations in sickle cell disease

Cerebrovascular complications of the large and small vessels of the brain and their corresponding territories are shown. The most common complications are cerebral infarcts in major vessels and "borderzone" infarctions. Borderzone infarctions are most common in the areas between the middle and anterior cerebral arteries, and between the middle and posterior cerebral arteries. Fat embolism and venous side abnormalities are the least common lesions. Small white matter lesions visualized on magnetic resonance imaging can be seen in asymptomatic patients. Multiple cerebral aneurysms can be present within the branches of the circle of Willis.