Thoracic spinal cord compression due to xtramedullary haemopoiesis in a patient with beta-thalassemia: complete clinical regression with radiation therapy alone

Abstract

Case Report AbstractSpinal cord compression due to extramedullary haemopoesis in beta-thalassemia is extremely rare. Controversies are there between the two modalities of treatment surgery vs radiation therapy. We present here a case of beta thalassemia major in a twenty one year old female patient who presented with features of spinal cord compression due to extramedullary haemopoesis. She was then treated with 3000 cGy of radiation therapy targeted to the T5-T8 region, as 200 cGy/fraction daily, 5 fractions/week, over 6 weeks. The patient's haemoglobin was elevated from 6.1g/dl to 10.1g/dl, with her haematocrit rising from 26.3% to 32.8%. Steroid dose was tapered on hospital day number 7. She achieved near full neurological recovery after medical treatment with steroids, blood transfusion and radiation therapy.