Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Causing Spinal Cord Compression

Spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis is a rare neurosurgical problem that is successfully treated with urgent decompression. Here we report the case of a young man with hemoglobin Lepore disease and beta thalassemia who presented with 1 month of lower extremity weakness and urinary retention. The patient underwent urgent thoracic laminectomies and recovered fully. This pathology can be treated with multiple modalities; however, decompression must remain in the neurosurgeon's armamentarium in the acute setting.

Automated summary

Spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis, a rare neurosurgical problem, requires urgent decompression for successful treatment. In this case report, a young man with hemoglobin Lepore disease and beta thalassemia was successfully treated with urgent thoracic laminectomies and fully recovered. The acute setting calls for decompression as a crucial modality in treating this pathology.