The radiographic appearances following adequate transfusion in beta-thalassaemia.

The main lesions of the skull and hand, observed in a group of hypertransfused beta-thalassaemic patients, are compared with a control group of low-transfused patients. Bony abnormalities reflect the relationship between proliferating bone marrow and bone cortex, and hypertransfusion therapy will prevent development of lesions only if established early in life. If this is done, the diploë in the skull may become normal, overgrowth of facial bone is moderate, pneumatisation of the paranasal sinuses is not completely prevented, and the "hair-brush" pattern may disappear completely. A normal appearance of the hand in adequately treated patients differentiates between prepubertal patients and adults.