A first report on Hb Q-Iran in association with alpha-thalassemia in a case of spinal ischemia.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hemoglobin Q-Iran is a rare variant which has not been described in association with alpha-thalassemia to date. We present the case of a Turkish patient who developed spinal ischemia. METHODS: Spinal ischemia was diagnosed clinically, via magnetic resonance imaging and angiographically. Blood samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, gene sequencing, hematological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: We detected hemoglobin Q-Iran in association with alpha-thalassemia. The same hemoglobinopathy was detected in two members of the patient's family. CONCLUSIONS: As various differential diagnosis approaches failed to reveal the cause of spinal ischemia, the combined hemoglobinopathy was eventually postulated.