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Extramedullary hematopoiesis simulating posterior mediastinal tumors
C K Loh1, C Alcorta, A J McElhinney
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Palisades General Medical Center, North Bergen, New Jersey.
We report the case of a patient with intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis presenting as a posterior mediastinal tumor in response to chronic hemolytic anemia. Noninvasive studies including chest roentgenograms, computed tomographic scans, magnetic resonance images, and nuclear scans can establish the diagnosis in most cases. In equivocal cases, transthoracic needle biopsy and open biopsy should be considered. Surgical resection is recommended only for patients with symptoms of compression.
We report the case of a patient with intrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis presenting as a posterior mediastinal tumor in response to chronic hemolytic anemia. Noninvasive studies including chest roentgenograms, computed tomographic scans, magnetic resonance images, and nuclear scans can establish the diagnosis in most cases. In equivocal cases, transthoracic needle biopsy and open biopsy should be considered. Surgical resection is recommended only for patients with symptoms of compression.