title: A case of spinal cord compression by extramedullary haemopoiesis in a thalassaemic patient: a putative role for hydroxyurea?
abstract: We report a case of homozygous beta thalassaemia who developed chronic paraparesis due to spinal cord compression by paravertebral extramedullary masses. Our patient was successfully treated with hypertransfusion and hydroxyurea. This drug in addition to its well-known cytostatic effects, may be a good alternative in conditions analogous to our case. This action of hydroxyurea can also be attributed to its favourable effect on foetal haemoglobin production.
authors.affiliation: Thalassaemia Unit, Amaliada General Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Konstantopoulos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vagiopoulos
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kantouni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lymperi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Patriarcheas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Georgakopoulos
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fessas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin; D006918:Hydroxyurea