Internal Medicine
Online ISSN : 1349-7235
Print ISSN : 0918-2918
ISSN-L : 0918-2918
CASE REPORTS
Management of Spinal Cord Compression Caused by Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in Beta-thalassemia
Berhouma MoncefJemel Hafedh
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JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2008 Volume 47 Issue 12 Pages 1125-1128

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Abstract

Thalassemia is a chronic hemolytic anemia, endemic around the Mediterranean basin. Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a normal compensatory reaction that can involve many organs or tissues, including the epidural space, leading to a spinal cord compression syndrome. In almost all cases, the clinical and MR patterns are those of a lower dorsal spinal cord progressive compression secondary to an epidural expanding process. The management still remains controversial, including mainly blood transfusions, decompressive surgery and radiotherapy. We present a case of EMH in a thalassemic adolescent boy presenting with a T12 level of compression, treated successfully with blood transfusion, surgical decompression and radiotherapy.

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© 2008 by The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
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