Extramedullary hematopoiesis - thalassemia

Case contributed by Andrew Dixon
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Chest pain and left sided pleural effusion.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male

Diffusely expanded bones. Mutiple well-defined posterior mediastinal / paravertebral soft-tissue density masses. Patchy left lower lobe consolidation and small left pleural effusion. 

Case Discussion

There is marked medullary expansion of all bones suggesting that the multiple posterior mediastinal masses represent extramedullary hematopoiesis. This patient had known thalassemia as the cause. The region of consolidation in the left lower lobe and left pleural effusion most likely account for the patient's chest pain.

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