Vertebral sarcoidosis: demonstration of bone involvement by computerized axial tomography

Journal Article · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · South. Med. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-198408000-00039· OSTI ID:6111201

Dinerstein, S L; Kovarsky, J

A report is given of a rare case of vertebral sarcoidosis with negative conventional spinal x-ray films, yet with typical cystic lesions of the spine found incidentally during abdominal computerized axial tomography (CAT). The patient was a 28-year-old black man, who was admitted for evaluation of a 1 1/2-year history of diffuse myalgias, intermittent fever to 102 F orally, bilateral hilar adenopathy, and leukopenia. A technetium polyphosphate bone scan revealed diffuse areas of increased uptake over the sternum, entire vertebral column, and pelvis. Conventional x-ray films of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, and an AP view of the pelvis were all normal. Chest x-ray film revealed only bilateral hilar adenopathy. During the course of an extensive negative evaluation for infection, an abdominal CAT scan was done, showing multiple, small, sclerotic-rimmed cysts at multiple levels of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine. Bone marrow biopsy revealed only changes consistent with anemia of chronic disease. Mediastinal lymph node biopsy revealed noncaseating granulomas. A tentative diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made, and treatment with prednisone, isoniazid and rifampin was begun. Within two weeks of initiation of prednisone therapy, the patient was symptom-free. A repeat technetium polyphosphate bone scan revealed only a small residual area of mildly increased uptake over the upper thoracic vertebrae.

• Research Organization: Baylor Coll. of Medicine, Houston, TX
• OSTI ID: 6111201
• Journal Information: South. Med. J.; (United States), Vol. 77:8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
SKELETAL DISEASES
DIAGNOSIS
VERTEBRAE
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
CAT SCANNING
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
TECHNETIUM ISOTOPES
BODY
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
ISOTOPES
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIOLOGY
SKELETON
TOMOGRAPHY
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)