Presentation
Known prostate cancer
Patient Data
Age: 80 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Ivory vertebra
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AP radiograph of the lumbar spine shows a uniformly increased opacity of the entire L4 vertebra. The vertebral body maintains its size and contour. This finding represents the typical ivory vertebra sign, due to osteoblastic bone metastasis (in this patient from known prostate cancer).
Note the increased opacity of left sacroiliac joint territory and slightly sclerotic sacrum (multiple osteoblastic bone metastases).
Case Discussion
The term ivory vertebra refers to a single sclerotic vertebra, that stands out due to its very dense white appearances, like the ivory tusks of an elephant. Although most commonly due to sclerotic bony metastasis, these appearances can also occur in lymphoma and Paget disease.
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