Magnetic resonance imaging findings in intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia: a case report

Abstract

The formation of blood cells in tissues other than bone marrow is known as extramedullary hematopoiesis. The most common sites of hematopoiesis are liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Extramedullary hematopoiesis can occur in various locations within the body and is characterized by soft tissue masses detected on imaging. Extramedullary hematopoiesis is a known complication of myeloproliferative disorders, which include chronic myelogenous leukemia, polycythemiavera, essential thrombocytosis and mylofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia. An intracranial extramedullary hematopoiesis is an extremely rare occurrence that frequently involves the cranial dura, falx, cerebral parenchyma, optic nerve sheath, and diploic space of skull. MRI remains the modality of choice in investigations for the same. This case report describes the intracranial MR imaging features seen in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.