Radiological Features of Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in a Young Male with Beta-Thalassemia: A Case Report

Hematopoiesis refers to the generation and maturation of blood cells. In adults, this process predominantly takes place within the bone marrow of long bones, vertebrae, and ribs. During fetal development, however, hematopoiesis primarily occurs in the yolk sac, liver, and spleen. When hematopoiesis shifts from the bone marrow to other sites in the body, it is termed extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH). This phenomenon often arises in individuals with hematologic disorders such as thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, where normal bone marrow function is impaired. Here, we describe a case of a young adult male with beta-thalassemia who presented with complaints of shortness of breath and palpitations persisting for one month. This report highlights the imaging features of extramedullary hematopoiesis identified in this patient.