Extramedullary hematopoiesis in acute lymphocytic leukemia masquerading as hepatic, renal, and splenic microabscesses

Cytodiagnosis of Coexistence of Leukemic Infiltration and Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in a Cervical Lymph Node, in T Cell Leukemia Patient

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a compensatory mechanism that occurs when the marrow is unable to maintain sufficient red cell mass. EMH generally occurs in the patients with deficient bone marrow hematopoiesis secondary to either peripheral red cell destruction or marrow replacement. Although EMH is known to occur in agnogenic myeloid metaplasia with myelofibrosis, chronic myelogenous leukemia, thalassemia, and infiltrative disorders, such as lymphomas, it is rare in acute leukemias. EMH is most commonly seen in the liver and spleen as a diffuse lesion. The involvement of lymph nodes in leukemia and EMH is known; however, to the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of both in the same lymph node has been reported in a single case report. Our case may be the second most rare case of coexistence of infiltration by leukemic lymphoblasts and EMH in the same lymph node detected on FNAC. EMH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with bone marrow disorders and mass lesions in extramedullary sites.

Immature platelet count: a simple parameter for distinguishing thrombocytopenia in pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia from immune thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND

Platelet counts below normal values define thrombocytopenia. However, platelet counts alone do not reveal the underlying pathomechanism. New blood cell counters provide additional information on platelet size and volume, and enable the distinction of sub-populations. In this preliminary study, we evaluate whether one of these markers can be used for diagnosis of isolated thrombocytopenia in children.

PROCEDURE

We provide normal values for mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), platelet mean-frequent volume (P-MFV), relative immature platelet fraction (IPF%), and absolute IPF (IPF#) for 100 healthy children and analyzed 87 children with thrombocytopenia.

RESULTS

In children with platelet production defects, IPF% was low, while in acute immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), IPF% was markedly increased (median 25.2%, P < 0.01), representing accelerated platelet turnover. Interestingly, children diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) also had elevated IPF% (median 10%, P < 0.01), suggesting that thrombopoiesis is stimulated despite virtual absence of bone marrow progenitors. Low IPF# was only found in patients with acute ITP.

CONCLUSIONS

IPF% is a marker for thrombocytopenia due to defective platelet production while IPF#, representing the immature platelet count, might become a practical parameter to distinguish acute ITP from thrombocytopenia in children with newly diagnosed ALL (P < 0.01).

CT and MR findings in extramedullary haematopoiesis with biliary system encasement: a case report

Extramedullary haematopoiesis is the production of blood elements outside the bone marrow cavity. In our case computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the presence of a rare localization of extramedullary haematopoiesis with encasement of the biliary system in a 59 years-old male Caucasian patient, with chronic myelofibrosis and hepatic failure's symptomatology. Computed tomography detected the presence of homogeneous hypodense tissue around intra-hepatic bile ducts with minimal contrast enhancement, strongly suggestive for extramedullary haematopoiesis. Magnetic resonance confirmed the presence of a solid tissue surrounding the biliary tree, showing late enhancement after gadolinium administration suggestive for non-active lesion of extramedullary haematopoiesis. Final diagnosis was established by percutaneous biopsy.

Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in Chronic Myelofibrosis Encasing the Pelvicaliceal System and Perirenal Spaces: CT Findings

We examined a 46-year-old male patient with idiopathic myelofibrosis diagnosed 28 months earlier. After chemotherapy and irradiation, CT showed nonnodular, soft tissue masses in the renal hilum, pelvicaliceal system, perirenal and periureteral spaces. Ultrasound-guided biopsy showed extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH). The mass, which caused delayed nephrographic enhancement, without hydroureteronephrosis, was the only site of EMH. We report the CT findings of this uncommon EMH localization.

Imaging features of focal intrahepatic extramedullary haematopoiesis

The imaging findings of focal intrahepatic extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) in a 51-year-old woman with beta-thalassaemia intermedia are described with particular reference to MRI and CT. Bone marrow colloid scintigraphy was unhelpful in confirming the diagnosis, which was made from fine needle aspiration. This is the first description of stellate scars occurring in an EMH lesion. A review of the radiological appearances of this rare condition is presented.

Nodular hematopoiesis of the liver diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology

A case of tumor-like extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) of the liver diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology guided by computer tomography (CT) is reported. The initial clinical diagnosis was metastatic carcinoma from an adrenal gland primary. Five other cases of tumor-like EMH diagnosed by FNA have been presented in the literature. In two of the cases, the primary clinical diagnosis was metastatic tumor. The most common location for tumor-like EMH is paravertebral and intrathoracic. Three such cases of paravertebral tumor-like EMH have been diagnosed by FNA. Nodular EMH can be found rarely in other organs as in the liver.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis encasing the pelvicalyceal system: CT findings

A rare case of symmetric renal extramedullary hematopoiesis is hypothesized in a patient with long-standing Vaquez' disease and myelofibrosis. At CT, soft tissue densities were found in the renal hilar area encasing the pelvicalyceal system. Although there is nothing specific about the CT findings, the diagnosis can be suggested in the proper clinical setting. The association with generalized osteosclerosis is another diagnostic clue.

Clinical expressions of the expansion of the bone marrow in the chronic anemias: the role of radiotherapy

PURPOSE

In the chronic anemias and particularly in the hemoglobinopathies and in the myeloproliferative disorders there is compensatory hypertrophy and expansion of the bone marrow. This results in severe rarefaction of the bone and in extramedullary hemopoiesis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Morbid clinical expressions of the osseous changes are spontaneous fractures and osteoarthropathy, while extramedullary hemopoiesis presenting in the form of tumor-like masses may cause pressure symptoms on adjacent organs, particularly on the spinal cord.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Extramedullary hemopoiesis masses can be easily diagnosed since they present typical radiological appearance. Radiotherapy has been used for the treatment of these conditions.