Spinal Kaposi sarcoma presenting without cutaneous manifestations. Case report.
Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is one of the most common tumors in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which characteristically presents with cutaneous lesions. The authors report a rare case of spinal KS with no cutaneous manifestation in a 32-year-old man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who presented with abdominal pain. A computed tomography scan revealed incidental lesions in his lumbar spine, and additional imaging studies revealed numerous lesions in the lumbosacral spine and pelvis. An open biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of KS. At the time of presentation, the patient had no skin lesion or any other manifestation indicative of KS. The authors suggest that in HIV-positive patients who present with spinal lesions, KS should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Omeis
Ibrahim
I
Department of Neurosurgery, New York Medical College and St. Vincent's Medical Center, Valhalla 10595, USA. Ibrahim_Omeis@nymc.edu
Siems
Ashley L
AL
Harrington
William
W
Johnson
Livette S
LS
Destian
Sylvie
S
DeMattia
Joseph A
JA
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery