CASE REPORTS   

Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences 2007 March;51(1):29-32

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Focal extra-axial hemorrahagic mass with subdural hemorrhage secondare to extramedullary hematopoiesis in idiopathic myelodysplastic sindrome

Di Lieva A. ¹, Aimar E. ¹, Tancioni F. ¹, Levi D. ¹, Debernardi A. ¹, Pisano P. ¹, Rahal D. ², Nozza A. ³, Magagnoli M. ³, Gaetani P. ¹

¹ Department of Neurosurgery Istituto Clinico HUMANITAS IRCCS, Rozzano (Milan), Italy 2 Department of Pathology Istituto Clinico HUMANITAS IRCCS, Rozzano (Milan), Italy 3 Department of Oncology Istituto Clinico HUMANITAS IRCCS, Rozzano (Milan), Italy

Idiopathic myelodysplastic syndrome is a disease characterized by a clonal stem cell disorder in which megacaryocitic and granulocytic lineages are mainly involved; extramedullary myeloid metaplasia is due to abnormal location of myeloid tissue in other organs than bone marrow. Rarely the central nervous system is involved. When it happens, it is typical to find masses around the brain and pachymeningeal thickening, but it is very rare to find it associated with subdural haemorrhage, as in the case we describe in the present article. Considering our case and the literature we can suggest that radiological images associated with the clinical history of the patient suggestive for extramedullary hematopoiesis can be sufficient for a correct diagnosis and for a radiotherapy treatment, demanding surgery in the case of diagnostic doubts, massive hemorrahages or neurological decifits caused by the focal lesions.