Intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis: report of a case in a patient with sickle-cell disease-beta-thalassemia

Abstract

A case of paravertebral extramedullary hematopoiesis in a patient with sickle-cell anemia-beta-thalassemia is reported. Interesting aspects in this case, including the high level of Hb F and large number of nucleated erythrocytes in the peripheral blood, are discussed. Fifty-five cases of intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis have been reported. Most of these cases occurred in patients with thalassemia or hereditary spherocytosis. Extramedullary hematopoiesis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a posterior mediastinal mass in a patient who has chronic anemia or other syndromes associated with extramedullary hematopoiesis.