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Paraplegia due to extramedullary hematopoiesis in thalassemia treated successfully with radiation therapy.

Author
Abstract
:

Spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a rare complication of thalassemia and generally presents as paraparesis with sensory impairment. Complete paraplegia is extremely rare in EMH due to thalassemia although it is known to occur in polycythemia vera and sickle cell anemia. Treatment options mostly include surgery and/or radiotherapy. Whereas cases presenting with paraparesis have been treated with either surgery or radiotherapy with equal frequency and efficacy, almost all reported cases with paraplegia have been treated with surgery with or without radiation therapy. We hereby report a case of thalassemia intermedia with paraplegia treated successfully with radiotherapy.

Year of Publication
:
2007
Journal
:
Haematologica
Volume
:
92
Issue
:
3
Number of Pages
:
e28-30
ISSN Number
:
0390-6078
URL
:
http://www.haematologica.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=17405752
Short Title
:
Haematologica
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