Thalassemia .

  • Hereditary disorder that results in a defect in hemoglobin synthesis. The red blood cells have a shorter lifespan.
  • The hematopoietic system reacts by increasing the production of red blood cells, resulting in an increase in bone marrow against cortical bone.
  • It mainly affects people from the Mediterranean region. It can be heterozygous or monozygous type.
  • Radiographic changes:
    • Hair-end effect of the skull.
    • Widening of the diploe.
    • Enlargement of bone marrow spaces in all bones.
    • Generalized bone rarefaction.
    • Enlargement of the jaws.
    • Reduction of the maxillary sinus.
    • Thinning of cortical structures (especially the lower border of the mandible)
    • Loss of the Lamina dura  and shortening of  the roots .

Case 1

Thalassemia

Case 2

Thalassemia. Panoramic radiographs of four  different patients.

Case 3

Case 4

CBCT images of patient with thalassemia