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Extramedullary haematopoiesis presenting as an adnexal mass in a patient with β-thalassaemia
  1. Valeria Filippi,
  2. Hubertina Reina,
  3. Cecile Monod and
  4. Gwendolin Manegold-Brauer
  1. Department of Gynaecological Ultrasound and Prenatal Diagnostics, Women' Hospital, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  1. Correspondence to Dr Valeria Filippi; valeria.filippi{at}usb.ch

Abstract

Solid masses of the ovaries raise the suspicion of malignancy or metastasis and require histological diagnosis. Extramedullary haematopoesis (EMH) is a rare histological finding of a mass of the adnexa. The sonographic pattern of EMH has rarely been described in the literature. Transvaginal biopsy of EMH has not been reported in the literature. We present a case of adnexal EMH in a patient affected with β-thalassaemia, and we performed a narrative review. Only in our case, the sonographic pattern was described, and a transvaginal ultrasound-guided core biopsy was used. Assessing patients’ medical history and correlating it to the findings of diagnostic imaging is of paramount importance when evaluating patients with adnexal masses. The correct interpretation of sonographic images can avoid unnecessarily invasive procedures. A transvaginal biopsy could be a safe, easy and well-tolerated method to gain definite histological diagnosis in cases where a primary ovarian malignancy is not suspected.

  • Obstetrics, gynaecology and fertility
  • Haematology (drugs and medicines)
  • Ultrasonography
  • Radiology

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Footnotes

  • Contributors CM visited the patient first and gave us details about the ultrasound features. VF and HR conceived the presented idea. VF collected and interpreted the data. VF, HR and GMB drafted the article. GMB made a critical revision of the article and approved the final version to be published.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.