MRI features of intrahepatic extramedullary haematopoiesis in sickle cell anaemia

Cancer Imaging. 2006 Nov 28;6(1):182-5. doi: 10.1102/1470-7330.2006.0030.

Abstract

Extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) is a reactive mechanism by which blood cells are produced outside of the bone marrow to supplement insufficient production or increased destruction of erythrocytes. EMH is uncommon in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). We report the first case of focal intra-hepatic EMH in SCA depicted on MRI occurring in a 32-year-old woman with homozygote SCA and in view of previously published data, highlight the diagnostic features suggesting a differential diagnosis with other focal liver lesions including infectious, inflammatory or primary liver tumors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications*
  • Female
  • Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary*
  • Humans
  • Liver
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*