A Case of Thalassemia Intermedia with Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Finding on FDG-PET/CT

Abstract

Extramedullary hematopoiesis is a physiological compensatory event that develops in hematological diseases characterized by hemolysis such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, myelofibrosis, hereditary spherocytosis, as a result of the insufficiency of the bone marrow in meeting the need for circulation. Intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis is a rare condition. In this study, we present a 49-year-old male patient who was followed up by the hematology clinic due to thalassemia intermedia, and who underwent PET-CT examination for metabolic characterization after detecting a mass located in the paravetebral area in the posterior mediastinum.

Keywords

• FDG
• PET/CT
• intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis
• thalassemia intermedia

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