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Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry logoLink to Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
. 1992 Apr;55(4):310–312. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.55.4.310

The role of radiation therapy in the management of spinal cord compression due to extramedullary haematopoiesis in thalassaemia.

S Singhal 1, S Sharma 1, S Dixit 1, S De 1, S Chander 1, G K Rath 1, V S Mehta 1
PMCID: PMC489046  PMID: 1583517

Abstract

Extramedullary haematopoiesis associated with thalassaemia leading to spinal cord compression is an extremely rare event in the course of the disease. The efficacy of radiation therapy is advocated in the management of such a complication. Two patients with thalassaemia, who had presented with spinal cord compression, were successfully treated by a modest dose of local radiotherapy. In one of the patients, however, radiotherapy was resorted to after an initial decompressive laminectomy and partial removal of the intraspinal haematopoietic mass proved unsuccessful. The other patient was managed solely by radiation therapy.

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Selected References

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