title: A first report on Hb Q-Iran in association with alpha-thalassemia in a case of spinal ischemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hemoglobin Q-Iran is a rare variant which has not been described in association with alpha-thalassemia to date. We present the case of a Turkish patient who developed spinal ischemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spinal ischemia was diagnosed clinically, via magnetic resonance imaging and angiographically. Blood samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, gene sequencing, hematological and biochemical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We detected hemoglobin Q-Iran in association with alpha-thalassemia. The same hemoglobinopathy was detected in two members of the patient's family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As various differential diagnosis approaches failed to reveal the cause of spinal ischemia, the combined hemoglobinopathy was eventually postulated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. berndt.zur@ukb.uni-bonn.de
authors.forename: Berndt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zur
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hildesheim
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stoffel-Wagner
mesh_terms: D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D014421:Turkey; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; C048299:hemoglobin Q Iran