Vertebral metastases

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 17 Nov 2023

Vertebral metastases represent the secondary involvement of the vertebral spine by hematogenously-disseminated metastatic cells. They must be included in any differential diagnosis of a spinal bone lesion in a patient older than 40 years.

This article will focus only on the metastasis involving the bony structures of the spine; please refer to the specific articles for other spinal metastatic diseases: 

Vertebral metastases are already present in 10% of newly diagnosed cancers. They are much more frequent in higher age groups (>50 years). 

Vertebral lesions are very frequently asymptomatic in the setting of widespread metastatic disease and are thus often found incidentally when imaging is performed for other reasons (e.g. staging).

Lesions may become symptomatic due to bone pain, pathological compression fractures, or extension into the spinal canal with cord compression and ensuing neurological deficits. 

The most common primary malignancies to involve the vertebrae are: 

Metastases are either osteoblastic or osteolytic, however osteoid formation and mineralization is of limited help in determining the primary tumor as some metastases may secrete osteoblast- and osteoclast-stimulating factors at the same time. New bone formation may also occur after chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Having said that some primaries more frequently result in sclerosis than others. 

Primaries with predominantly osteoblastic metastases (sclerotic extradural bone lesions) include: 

Primaries with predominantly osteolytic metastases, that may rarely become osteoblastic (mixed sclerotic and lytic extradural bone lesions) include:

Primaries with osteolytic metastases include:

Metastatic lesions can have virtually any appearance. They can mimic a benign lesion or an aggressive primary bone tumor. It can be difficult, if not impossible, to judge the origin of the tumor from the appearance of the metastatic focus, although some appearances are fairly characteristic.

Radiographs are useful as an overview but are insensitive to small lytic lesions and struggle to assess for compromise of the canal. As metastases have a predilection for involving the posterior vertebral body and pedicle, a missing pedicle (see: absent pedicle sign) is a useful and subtle sign to seek on AP films. 

The appearance on CT will depend on the degree of mineralization of the metastasis. The more common lytic metastases appear as regions of soft tissue attenuation with irregular margins. The mass may breach the cortex and result in compromise of the spinal canal. 

Sclerotic lesions appear hyperdense and irregular but are less likely to extend beyond the vertebrae. 

MRI is sensitive to metastatic disease and is able also to assess for cord compression. The signal intensity of the metastatic deposits will vary according to the degree of mineralization. 

  • T1: hypointense

  • T2: hypointense

  • T1: hypointense

  • T2: hypo- and/or hyperintense

  • T1: intermediate to hypointense

  • T2: hyper- or isointense

  • T1 C+ (Gd): enhancement usually present

The spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) can be used to assess for spinal stability in the presence of vertebral metastases. A score of 7-18 warrants surgical consultation.

 For osteoblastic metastases consider:

(mostly solitary lesions, patients may however present with a history of cancer)

For mixed sclerotic and lytic extradural bone lesions consider:

For lytic extradural bone lesions consider:

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