Nucl Med Mol Imaging.  2022 Dec;56(6):328-330. 10.1007/s13139-022-00773-3.

Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Visualized on FDG‑PET/CT in a Patient with Beta‑Thalassemia

• Dahlsgaard‑Wallenius S
• Juul‑Jensen K
• Nielsen A
• Hildebrandt M

• KMID: 2537093
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13139-022-00773-3

Abstract

Beta-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by reduced or absent synthesis of the beta chains of hemoglobin, resulting in decreased hemoglobin production. Symptoms depend on the type of beta-thalassemia ranging from no symptoms to severe illness. Ineffective erythropoiesis leads to a sequence of events responsible for bone marrow expansion, anemia, hemolysis, splenomegaly, increased iron absorption, and sometimes extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH). We report an interesting case with EMH visualized on FDG-PET/CT and where FDG-PET/CT has also found the focus of a severe infection in a patient with beta-thalassemia.

Keyword

Thalassemia; Extramedullary Hematopoiesis; Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose; Positron Emission Tomography/ computer Tomography