Extramedullary hematopoiesis: Findings on computed tomography scans of the chest in 6 patients

Abstract

Objective: To present findings on computed tomography scans of the chest indicative of extramedullar hematopoiesis in six patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed computed tomography scans of six adult patients-five males and one female-with a mean age of 36.5 years. Two radiologists independently reviewed the scans, and a consensus was reached in discrepant cases. Results: The most common finding in the scans was lower paravertebral masses with heterogeneous content (four patients). The scans of two patients showed a solitary parietal and pleural mass. Conclusions: There are findings in computed tomography scans that are highly suggestive of extramedullar hematopoiesis, especially when those findings con-elate with underlying blood diseases. Such findings, in most of the cases, allow physicians to dispense with histopathological confirmation.