Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
07:00
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
8.3K
Thalassaemia intermedia presenting with compressive myelopathy: a case report
Journal of the Indian Medical Association
|April 29, 2014
Summary
Extramedullary haematopoiesis can cause spinal cord compression in thalassemia patients. Surgical decompression led to recovery in a case of thalassemia intermedia presenting with compressive myelopathy.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Thalassaemia is a group of inherited blood disorders.
- Extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) is the formation of blood cells outside the bone marrow.
- Spinal cord compression is a serious neurological condition.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old male with undiagnosed thalassemia intermedia presented with symptoms of spinal cord compression.
- The patient had no prior history of blood transfusions.
- Imaging revealed extramedullary hematopoietic tissue in the epidural space causing myelopathy.
Findings:
- The patient underwent surgical decompression to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
- Post-operative recovery was successful, with improvement in neurological symptoms.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but significant complication of thalassemia intermedia.
- Early diagnosis and management of EMH-induced spinal cord compression are crucial for patient outcomes.
- Surgical intervention can be effective in treating myelopathy caused by extramedullary hematopoiesis.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
20
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
20
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
52
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
52
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
764
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
764
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
805
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
805