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Vertebral metastasis - renal cell carcinoma

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Lower limb weakness and back pain.

Patient Data

Age: 75 years
Gender: Male

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

MRI of the thoracolumbar spine demonstrates a very large expansile mass replacing most of the T10 vertebral body and resulting in compression of the cord with some increased cord T2 signal. 

Case Discussion

Renal cell carcinoma metastasis (this patient had a known history of RCC, and this mass was subsequently operated upon and the diagnosis confirmed) are well known to result in expansile bony metastases. In addition, these lesions are usually very vascular, and if the diagnosis is suspected preoperatively, embolization is often helpful in reducing intraoperative blood loss. 

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