Paraplegia in a pregnant thalassemic woman due to extramedullary hematopoiesis case report and review of literature

Extramedulary hematopoiesis i common sequelae in thalassemic patients but extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spinal epidural space that lead to paraparesis in pregnancy in very rare. We managed a thalassemic patient with extramedullary hematopoiesis and spinal cord compression during pregnancy. The diagnosis was made on clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)showing a paravertebral mass infiltrating the epidural space. She was treated with repeated blood transfusion but her symptom worsened and paraparesis progressed to paraplegic state. Surgical decompression of the spine and the removal of the culprit lesion compressing the spine were performed. Improving of the symptoms and control of the lesion could be obtained