Presentation
This patient presented to the outpatient clinic with back pain.
Patient Data
Age: 55
Gender: Female
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Previous left mastectomy and nodal clearance. Lungs and pleural spaces are clear. Heart and mediastinal countours are within normal limits.
Subtle opacity increase of T10 vertebral body.
From the case:
Ivory vertrebra - from breast cancer metastasis
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Sclerosis within the T10 vertebral body is easier to perceive on the lateral projection. With windowing, it is more apparent on the frontal view.
Case Discussion
Osteoblastic metastasis is the most common cause for an ivory vertebra in this age group.
Key to this case is to recognize the mastectomy, and then, after deciding that the lungs are clear, take a very hard look at the bones.
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