Brown Tumor Mimicking Bone Metastases in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract

Brown tumor can occur in patients with chronic renal failure secondary to hyperparathyroidism. Brown tumor can cause compression of the spinal cord, which can be confused with many extradural mass, is a clinical entity. In this case report we present a 33-year-old man, who had been on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure for over 10 years, got admitted with dorsal pain and progressive weakness in his lower extremities. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed an expansile lytic lesion at T2 level. We performed urgent surgical spinal decompression with a presumptive diagnosis of bone metastases. A subsequent pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of Brown tumor. Brown tumor and bone metastasis can be confused clinically and radiologically. Firstly, parathyroid hormone levels should be controlled with medical therapy. Failure of medical therapy or for acute spinal cord compression emergency surgery for tumor removal is recommended.