title: Spinal epidural extramedullary haematopoiesis in β-thalassaemia intermedia.
abstract: A 22-year-old man known to have β-thalassaemia intermedia since childhood presented with bilateral lower limb weakness after spinal anaesthesia for an elective minor operation of his left leg. MRI and CT scans were performed to rule out acute epidural haematoma; coincidental imaging features of marrow hyperplasia and spinal epidural extramedullary haematopoiesis were found. This article will present and discuss the imaging features, differential diagnosis, management and literature review of the rare occurrence of extramedullary haematopoiesis in the spinal epidural space.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, North District Hospital, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kin Hoi
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Allen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tun Hing
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: Yan Kit
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Sit
mesh_terms: D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000009:adverse effects; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004824:Epidural Space; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012447:Sacrum; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology