Background: Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is an unusual cause of spinal cord compression. Spinal epidural EMH is very rare in thalassaemia.Case Report: We report the case of a 30-year-old man with thalassaemia major who presented with symptoms of progressive dorsal spinal cord compression. Diagnosis of extramedullary hematopoiesis was based on magnetic resonance imaging findings consistent with an epidural lesion extending from T1 to L1 compressing the spinal cord. Following radiotherapy and intensive red cell transfusion therapy, there was marked improvement in patients symptoms.Conclusions: Clinical awareness of this phenomenon with early treatment is essential for optimizing the neurological outcome.

Keywords: Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH), Magnetic resonanace imaging (MRI)