title: Extramedullary hematopoiesis: A report of two cases.
abstract: Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is defined as hematopoiesis occurring in organs outside of the bone marrow. The present report describes two cases of thalassemic patients with paraspinal medullary hematopoiesis and analyzes the clinical manifestations, imaging, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of EMH. In addition, a supplementary review of previously published cases is provided along with a review of the related literature. Computed tomography (CT) of the first case revealed multiple paraspinal masses, and the largest was 6.2×8.0 cm in diameter. Likewise, CT of the second patient revealed multiple paraspinal masses in the bottom of the left thoracic cavity, and the largest was measured 10.1×10.5 cm. The two cases underwent surgical biopsy and the findings were compatible with a diagnosis of EMH. In conclusion, EMH is a compatible and rare disease, and should be distinguished from other neoplasms. EMH must considered when masses with characteristic radiologic appearance are detected in patients with thalassemia intermedia.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 100044, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Huan-Zhu
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 100044, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 100044, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 100044, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Bao-Rong
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 100044, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Guo-Hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 100044, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yu-Na
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Peng
keywords: anemia; bone marrow; extramedullary hematopoisis; neoplasm; thalassemia