Massive hemothorax in a beta-thalassemic patient due to spontaneous rupture of extramedullary hematopoietic masses: diagnosis and successful treatment.
Intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis is an unusual but well-described entity. The condition is typically found in patients who have chronic hemolytic anemias, especially thalassemia. We report a case of a 38-year-old man with underlying beta thalassemia/hemoglobin E who developed intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis. The hematopoietic masses spontaneously ruptured, resulting in massive hemothorax. The condition was confirmed by video-assisted thoracoscopy and successfully treated with surgery, hydroxyurea, and radiation.
Pornsuriyasak
Prapaporn
P
Division of Pulmonaryand Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, MahidolUniversity, Rajthevi, Bangkok, Thailand. tepor@mahidol.ac.th
Suwatanapongched
Thitiporn
T
Wangsuppasawad
Narathip
N
Ngodngamthaweesuk
Montian
M
Angchaisuksiri
Pantep
P
D000328:Adult; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D017086:beta-Thalassemia