Extramedullary hematopoiesis: a rare occurrence in the sinonasal tract

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2010 Apr;37(2):233-7. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2009.03.008. Epub 2009 May 5.

Abstract

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a systemic reaction to inadequate hematopoiesis. We report two exceedingly rare cases of EMH involving the paranasal sinuses. The first patient, a 30-year-old man, presented with a maxillary sinus mass. The lesion was excised by endoscopic surgery: definitive histology identified foci of EMH within an inflammatory fibromyxoid pseudotumor. The second case occurred in a 29-year-old man affected by intermediate beta-thalassemia. He was hospitalized with a diagnosis of sphenoid sinus mucocele secondary to an ethmoid lesion. The patient underwent endoscopic excision of the mass and drainage of the sphenoid mucocele. At definitive histology, a diagnosis of EMH was established. Herein, the presenting modalities, imaging profile, and treatment options of this rare EMH localization are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Endoscopy
  • Ethmoid Sinus / pathology
  • Ethmoid Sinus / physiopathology*
  • Fibroma / diagnosis*
  • Fibroma / pathology
  • Fibroma / physiopathology
  • Granuloma, Plasma Cell / diagnosis*
  • Granuloma, Plasma Cell / pathology
  • Granuloma, Plasma Cell / physiopathology
  • Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Maxillary Sinus / pathology
  • Maxillary Sinus / physiopathology*
  • Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / pathology
  • Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / pathology
  • Paranasal Sinus Diseases / physiopathology
  • Sphenoid Sinus / pathology
  • Sphenoid Sinus / physiopathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed