Abstract
The problem of spinal cord compression (SCC) related to extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) in β-thalassemia (β-thal) patients, both clinically and radiologically and its correlation with laboratory parameters of anemia and hemosiderosis was assessed. Sixty β-thal patients were included and divided into group I: 40 β-thal major patients (β-TM), aged 7–30 years with a mean age of 15 ± 5.3 years, group II: 20 β-thal intermedia patients (β-TI) aged 6–20 years with a mean age of 13 ± 4.6 years. They were subjected to neurological examination, thoracic and lumbosacral computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Spinal EMH was found in 13.3% of the thalassemic patients with a higher incidence in β-TI compared to β-TM patients (p = 0.03). Evidence of spinal EMH was associated with higher serum ferritin (p < 0.0001), lower pre transfusion hemoglobin (Hb) (p = 0.002) and lower transfusion index (p = 0.01). Extramedullary hematopoiesis was more evident in young β-TI patients, and was related to inadequate chelation, high serum ferritin and inadequate transfusion therapy.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are indebted to Dr. Sahar Ezz El Arab (Medical Doctorat Public Health, Early Cancer Detection Unit-Obstetric and Gynecology Hospital, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt) for her expertise.
Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.