Unilateral transpedicular course of an ascending lumbar vein through a pedicular foramen mimicking a lytic lesion: an anatomic variant.
An ascending lumbar vein passing through a foramen on the right pedicle of the third lumbar vertebra unilaterally, which was diagnosed incidentally during virtual CT colonoscopy of a patient with a rectal tumor, is described. Recognition of this anatomic variation is important to avoid diagnostic misinterpretations and transpedicular interventions such as percutaneous vertebroplasty or surgical instrumentation that may result in excessive hemorrhage and inadvertent leak of cement when it is present.
Karcaaltincaba
Musturay
M
Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Akata
Deniz
D
D023881:Colonography, Computed Tomographic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010690:Phlebography; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014680:Veins / Q000002:abnormalities*