OBJETIVO: Apresentar os achados na tomografia computadorizada do tórax indicativos de hematopoese extramedular de seis pacientes. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas, retrospectivamente, as tomografias de seis pacientes adultos-cinco homens e uma mulher-com idade média de 36,5 anos. Os exames foram analisados por dois radiologistas, de forma independente, e as decisões finais foram obtidas por consenso. RESULTADOS: O achado mais freqüente nas tomografias foi o de massas paravertebrais inferiores, de conteúdo heterogêneo (quatro pacientes). As tomografias de dois pacientes mostravam uma massa solitária parietal e pleural. CONCLUSÕES: A hematopoese extramedular apresenta aspectos na tomografia computadorizada fortemente sugestivos do diagnóstico que, quando correlacionados com a presença de doença hematológica de base, permitem, na maior parte dos casos, dispensar a comprovação histopatológica.
OBJECTIVE: To present findings on computed tomography scans of the chest indicative of extramedullary hematopoiesis in six patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed computed tomography scans of six adult patients - five males and one female - with a mean age of 36.5 years. Two radiologists independently reviewed the scans, and a consensus was reached in discrepant cases. RESULTS: The most common finding in the scans was lower paravertebral masses with heterogeneous content (four patients). The scans of two patients showed a solitary parietal and pleural mass. CONCLUSIONS: There are findings in computed tomography scans that are highly suggestive of extramedullary hematopoiesis, especially when those findings correlate with underlying blood diseases. Such findings, in most of the cases, allow physicians to dispense with histopathological confirmation.