Extramedullary Hematopoiesis of CNS in Postpolycythemic Myeloid Metaplasia

Abstract

To the Editor: Symptomatic foci of extramedullary hematopoiesis in the central nervous system have been reported in patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, thalassemia, and cyanotic cardiovascular malformations.¹ We have observed a case of postpolycythemic myeloid metaplasia in which extensive extramedullary hematopoiesis in the cerebral meninges was the probable cause of papilledema and visual-field defects and may have contributed to the patient's death.A 48-year-old man presented in 1966 with headache and tiredness. The liver and spleen were somewhat enlarged, the hemoglobin was 23.8 g per deciliter, and the hematocrit was 80 per cent. Further workup established a diagnosis of polycythemia . . .