Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is a compensation mechanism in which blood cells are produced in regions other than the bone marrow in response to deficient bone marrow production. It commonly occurs in diseases that lead to chronic anemia such as sickle cell anemia, beta thalassemia and myelofibrosis. A 68-year-old male patient was referred by the hematology outpatient clinic for investigation of secondary polycythemia etiology. Contrast-enhanced thoracic computed tomography revealed a space-occupying formation with an approximate size of 26x31 mm in right lateral adjacency to vertebra IV. The density of the mass was measured as -13 HU and it was considered to be a mass with fatty content. Mediastinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to clearly reveal the relationship of the mass to the spinal tract. Based on the radiological findings detected on the MRI, it was determined to exhibit results resembling EMH.
Corresponding Author: Nursen Yasayancan