Extramedullary hematopoiesis: findings on computed tomography scans of the chest in 6 patients

J Bras Pneumol. 2008 Oct;34(10):812-6. doi: 10.1590/s1806-37132008001000009.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To present findings on computed tomography scans of the chest indicative of extramedullary hematopoiesis in six patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed computed tomography scans of six adult patients - five males and one female - with a mean age of 36.5 years. Two radiologists independently reviewed the scans, and a consensus was reached in discrepant cases.

Results: The most common finding in the scans was lower paravertebral masses with heterogeneous content (four patients). The scans of two patients showed a solitary parietal and pleural mass.

Conclusions: There are findings in computed tomography scans that are highly suggestive of extramedullary hematopoiesis, especially when those findings correlate with underlying blood diseases. Such findings, in most of the cases, allow physicians to dispense with histopathological confirmation.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mediastinum / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Thalassemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Young Adult