title: Paraplegia in a pregnant thalassemic woman due to extramedullary hematopoiesis: successful management with transfusions.
abstract: The investigation and treatment of a pregnant thalassemic woman who developed severe paraplegia is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a paravertebral mass infiltrating the epidural space, resulting from extramedullary hematopoiesis (marrow heterotopia). The patient was treated successfully with repeated blood transfusions and made a complete recovery. The literature (36 cases) is reviewed and the magnetic resonance imaging features of spinal extramedullary hematopoiesis are presented. The efficacy of transfusions in the management of spinal cord compression due to marrow heterotopia in thalassemic patients is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Evangelismos General Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Singounas
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Sakas
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hadley
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chalevelakis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sfakianos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raptis
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Karvounis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*