To biopsy or not to biopsy: An 82-year-old patient with a retroperitoneal mass and severe low back pain

Moshe Horowitz, Gabriella Gayer, Yaacob Itzchak, Micha J. Rapoport

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

An 82-year-old patient was admitted to our ward due to disabling severe low back pain. Computed tomography of the spine revealed a retroperitoneal space-occupying lesion encroaching on two adjacent lumbar vertebrae and causing destruction of the cortex of their anterior aspect. The patient was scheduled for a biopsy of the mass. Magnetic resonance (MR) of the lumbar spine, however, suggested that the mass was most probably an aortic aneurysm. The biopsy was cancelled and the patient was referred for surgical intervention. MR is indicated in the evaluation of a solid mass causing vertebral destruction in order to achieve an accurate preoperative diagnosis and prevent a hazardous invasive procedure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)55-56
Number of pages2
JournalEuropean Journal of Internal Medicine
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aortic aneurysm
  • Biopsy
  • Space-occupying lesion
  • Spine

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