title: Multisegmental pneumatocysts of the lumbar spine mimic osteolytic lesions.
abstract: Circumscribed radiolucencies within the vertebral bones can be due to a variety of changes including benign and malignant tumours or tumour-like lesions. Radiolucencies due to degenerative intraosseous pneumatocyst are very uncommon but have to be taken into the differential diagnosis in well-circumscribed lytic lesions of the vertebral bodies. We describe the first case of multisegmental pneumatocysts in the lumbar spine mimicking osteolytic lesions. On computed tomography, the air-equivalent attenuation values of the lesions and the close vicinity to the degenerated vertebral endplates with vacuum phenomenon led to the correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Steingruber
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wimmer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nogler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Buchberger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases