Abstract :
Clinically, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish an infection of the spine from a metastasis. Spinal tuberculosis is common in India and adenocarcinoma of the lung is also rising. Radiologically, the hallmark of spinal infection is an erosion of adjacent vertebral endplates and narrowing of the disc space with or without a paravertebral shadow. Metastasis typically does not involve the disc space with erosion of the adjacent vertebral endplates. It usually presents as a lytic/sclerotic lesion in the vertebral body or ‘winkle owl’ sign. These distinguishing features of infection versus metastasis are not certainties. A biopsy is mandatory whenever in doubt or patient is not responded with provisional treatment.
We present a case of 45 year old male with so-called radiological features of spinal tuberculosis infection, which turns out to be a metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Keyword :
Adenocarcinoma; Extrapulmonary; Metastasis; Spinal tuberculosis; Tuberculosis