Vertebral pneumatocyst. A case report.
METHODS
This study illustrates intraosseous pneumatocyst of the vertebral body, a benign lesion.


OBJECTIVE
To review the incidence and location of this benign lesion during a 1-year period.


BACKGROUND
Intraosseous pneumatocyst is a rare benign condition, commonly seen in iliac bone or sacrum. The etiology of this entity is unclear. Other locations of these lesions are very rare, and only a few isolated cases are reported in the literature.


METHODS
In the last year (1994-1995), vertebral pneumatocyst was incidentally found in four patients who underwent computed tomography examination for presumptive discal lesion. Axial computed tomography with 2- and 4-mm slice thickness was performed.


RESULTS
The typical computed tomography patterns of intraosseous pneumatocyst involving the cervical, dorsal, or lumbar spine were found. The bony structure and joints were normal. To the best of our knowledge, intraosseous pneumatocyst located in the spinal process has not been reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraosseous pneumatocyst is a benign lesion. Biopsy and follow-up are unnecessary.
Laufer
L
L
Department of Radiology, Soroka Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Schulman
H
H
Hertzanu
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D001845:Bone Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D005740:Gases