Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
Use of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation to Assess the Origin of Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Published on: October 3, 2018
Chronic myeloproliferative diseases
João Forjaz de Lacerda1, Sofia N Oliveira2, José M Ferro3
1Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.
Insights
Chronic myeloproliferative disorders like essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) often cause neurological issues such as headaches, dizziness, and thrombosis. Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) rarely presents with neurological complications, mainly spinal cord compression.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Neurology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPNs) are characterized by the overproduction of myeloid cells.
- Key MPNs include essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF).
- Neurological manifestations can significantly impact patient quality of life in MPNs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the neurological complications associated with ET, PV, and PMF.
- To highlight the differences in neurological involvement across these MPN subtypes.
- To inform clinicians about potential neurologic presentations in MPN patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of neurological manifestations in MPNs.
- Analysis of clinical data regarding neurologic symptoms in ET, PV, and PMF.
- Synthesis of information on thrombosis, hemorrhage, and other neurologic events.
Main Results:
- ET and PV commonly present with headaches, dizziness, and both venous and arterial thrombosis.
- Intracranial hemorrhages are also observed in ET and PV.
- Neurologic complications in PMF are infrequent, primarily involving spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis.
Conclusions:
- Neurological symptoms are significant in ET and PV, often related to vascular complications.
- PMF has a distinct pattern of rare neurological involvement, predominantly spinal.
- Awareness of these diverse neurological manifestations is crucial for comprehensive MPN management.
Abstract:
The chronic myeloproliferative disorders are a group of diseases in which there is an increased proliferation of one or more subtypes of myeloid cells; they include essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). In ET and PV the main neurologic manifestations are headaches, dizziness and macro- and microvascular, both venous and arterial, thrombosis and intracranial hemorrhages. Paresthesias and chorea also occur in PV. In PMF neurologic complications are very rare and consist predominantly of spinal cord compression by extramedullary hematopoiesis tissue.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Disorders of Leukocytes
Leukopenia may result from bone marrow disorders, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. For example, conditions such as multiple myeloma and aplastic anemia can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce adequate leukocytes. Similarly, autoimmune diseases like lupus and viral infections such as HIV can prompt the immune...
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
01:21Lineage Commitment
01:27Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
02:23Abnormal Proliferation