B. Aliberti et al., Spinal cord compression due to extramedullary haematopoiesis in two patients with thalassaemia: complete regression with blood transfusion therapy, J NEUROL, 248(1), 2001, pp. 18-22
Extramedullary haematopoiesis, a common finding in thalassaemia, is rarely
localized in the spinal cord and even more rarely has neurological manifest
ations. We present two patients suffering from thalassaemia (intermedia and
beta homozygous) and paraparesis due to spinal cord compression from intra
thoracic extramedullary haematopoietic masses. Diagnosis was based on magne
tic resonance imaging findings, and treatment consisted of blood hypertrans
fusions. The majority of published cases have been successfully treated by
radiation and in some cases by blood transfusions. Our two patients complet
ely recovered, and there has been no recurrence during the 4 years since th
eir treatment. Diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition are discussed
.