Massive Thoracic Extramedullary Hemopoiesis

Abstract

TWO patients seen during the past ten years have justified a re-emphasis of the fact that paravertebral masses of hemopoietic tissue in the thorax can develop in hereditary spherocytic anemia. In the 2 cases described below the significance of the anemia had been overlooked, and the patients were referred to us for investigation of what was assumed to be primary neoplasms in the thorax. In both cases successful therapy depended upon identification of the primary process, followed by splenectomy.Case ReportsCase 1. A.W., a 61-year-old laborer from a small community in central Washington, was referred to the thoracic surgeon . . .