Imaging features of thalassaemia.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Hematology
• Oncology

Background:

• Extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) involves blood cell formation outside bone marrow, often in the liver, spleen, or spine.
• Osseous findings associated with EMH can be varied and sometimes subtle.
• Iron overload is a significant complication in disorders leading to EMH, impacting morbidity and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the spectrum of osseous findings in extramedullary haematopoiesis.
• To describe the imaging characteristics of EMH.
• To emphasize the role of MRI in evaluating iron overload (hemosiderosis) in the liver and heart for optimizing chelation therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging findings in patients with extramedullary haematopoiesis.
• Discussion of MRI techniques for assessing tissue iron concentration.
• Correlation of imaging findings with clinical data and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Detailed description of characteristic and atypical osseous manifestations of EMH.
• Imaging features of EMH in various locations, including vertebral bodies and ribs.
• MRI parameters for quantifying hepatic and cardiac iron overload.

Conclusions:

• Imaging plays a vital role in diagnosing EMH and its complications.
• MRI is essential for monitoring iron overload and guiding chelation therapy.
• Future imaging applications may include screening for hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in affected patients.