The current state of imaging pediatric hemoglobinopathies

Early Bone Infarction With Soft-tissue Abscess

Early bone infarction was rarely reported, and additional research is needed for diagnosis and treatment. This article aims to report the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with unexplained early bone infarction with soft-tissue abscess and a review of related literature. A 52-year-old male patient with early bone infarction of unknown etiology and soft-tissue abscess was analyzed retrospectively. He sustained right thigh swelling and pain for 5 days and hip and knee joint dysfunction, accompanied by fever, temperature 38°C, no limb numbness, sensory disturbance, and other discomfort. On MR images, early bone infarction with local soft-tissue abscess was found. After incision and drainage of soft-tissue abscess, wound débridement, and suture, the swelling and pain of the affected limb dysfunction gradually recovered. Early bone infarction of unknown etiology with soft-tissue abscess has a low incidence. MRI is the main imaging diagnostic method. Conservative treatment is the main guard against malignant changes and surgical treatment, if necessary.

Musculoskeletal imaging manifestations of beta-thalassemia

Beta-thalassemia is a heterogeneous group of anemic disorders caused by the absence or defective production of beta-globin chains. Their clinical manifestations vary from asymptomatic to severe symptoms leading to a transfusion-dependent anemic state. The genes that cause thalassemia are prevalent in Asian and African populations, particularly concentrated in the Middle East, Mediterranean region, parts of India, and South East Asia. Over time, the disease causes various musculoskeletal abnormalities with complex pathophysiology secondary to chronic anemia. The compensatory mechanisms result in diffuse marrow hyperplasia, yellow to red marrow reconversion, osteopenia, and pathologic fractures. Inability to remove excess iron and inevitable iron overload as a result of multiple blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia major and intermedia is another face of the disease. Musculoskeletal manifestations include osteopenia, coarse trabeculae, bone expansion, synovitis, joint effusion, and metaphyseal dysplasia. These complications have long-lasting effects on the skeletal growth pattern resulting in bone deformity, short stature, premature closure of physes, and predisposition to infection. Additionally, there are radiologic features of iron-chelator therapy, which are unique and unrelated to the disease process itself. Familiarity of radiologists with the imaging features of beta-thalassemia is crucial in both diagnosis and timely management of the disease and its complications.