CASE-REPORT - MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF SPINAL-CORD COMPRESSION IN THALASSEMIA BEFORE AND AFTER RADIATION TREATMENT

Thalassaemia is a genetic disorder of haemoglobin synthesis, character ized by anaemia and haemosidirosis [1]. A complication of this disease is extramedullary haemopoiesis in the spinal extradural space, causin g compression of the spinal cord. The rapid onset of neurological defi cit prompts immediate neuroradiological investigation and early treatm ent [2]. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in such lesions have been described previously by some of the present authors [3]. A further case is presented to illustrate the value of spinal MRI before and after radiation treatment of extramedullary haemopoiesis.