The development of non-invasive methods to evaluate sickle cell patients in the steady state and in crisis.

Methodologies now exist that promise to disclose fundamental and critical information about the microvascular status of patients with sickle cell disease. Several of these modalities are in an embryonic stage of development, whereas others are close to being ready for application to clinical trials. It is important that these sophisticated diagnostic techniques not supplant our clinical approach to the patient. However, it is hoped that these strategies will allow us to understand better the extreme spectrum of disease manifestations, as well as to provide objective means of monitoring the response to therapy in patients with sickle cell disease.