Extramedullary hematopoiesis causing spinal cord compression.

Abstract Spinal cord compression due to extramedullary hematopoiesis is a rare neurosurgical problem that is successfully treated with urgent decompression. Here we report the case of a young man with hemoglobin Lepore disease and beta thalassemia who presented with one month of lower extremity weakness and urinary retention. The patient underwent urgent thoracic laminectomies and recovered fully. This pathology can be treated with multiple modalities however decompression must remain in the neurosurgeon’s armamentarium in the acute setting.