Ascites and pleural effusion secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis

Am J Med Sci. 1999 Oct;318(4):286-8. doi: 10.1097/00000441-199910000-00009.

Abstract

Extramedullary hematopoiesis in the pleura and peritoneum is rare. It is usually asymptomatic and generally is diagnosed on post mortem examination. Herein we describe a 33-year-old woman with long-standing myelofibrosis who presented with symptomatic ascites and pleural effusion. After complete evaluation, these were found to have been caused by extramedullary hematopoietic implants to the pleura and peritoneum. The pleural effusion responded to low-dose radiotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ascites / etiology*
  • Ascites / physiopathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary*
  • Humans
  • Peritoneum / pathology*
  • Peritoneum / physiopathology
  • Pleura / pathology*
  • Pleura / physiopathology
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology*
  • Pleural Effusion / physiopathology
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / complications*
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / diagnosis*
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / pathology
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / physiopathology