Thoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis: A diagnosis to not forget in a patient with posterior mediastinal mass with anemia

Summary 

The most common masses occurring in the posterior mediastinum are tumors of nerve-cell origin. Other several etiologies can be evoked such as tuberculous abscess, bronchogenic malignancies, esophageal tumors, lymphomas and ectopic hematopoiesis.

We report a case of extramedullary hematopoiesis presenting as posterior mediastinal masses in a 63-year-old woman with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia. The diagnosis was confirmed by a CT-guided fine needle biopsy.

Thoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis represents a rare phenomenon complicating several chronic hemopathies. This diagnosis should be born in mind in front of posterior mediastinal masses in a patient with chronic hemolytic anemia in order to avoid dangerous surgical interventions.

Keywords: Posterior mediastinum, Extramedullary hematopoiesis, Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia