Paraspinal and presacral extramedullary hematopoiesis: A rare manifestation of polycythemia vera

Abstract

Extramedullary hematopoiesis is characterized by the presence of hematopoietic tissue outside the bone marrow. Extrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis is a rare and usually asymptomatic condition. We report a case of a 38-year-old female with paraspinal and presacral extramedullary hematopoiesis with polycythemia vera. Clinical and laboratory evaluation, along with radiological and histopathological findings are described. The diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by CT-guided biopsy. Review of literature is presented. © 2013, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Iranian Society of Radiology; Licensee KowsarKowsar Ltd.