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Osteoblastic metastases from prostate cancer

Case contributed by Matt Skalski
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Knee pain.

Patient Data

Age: 70
Gender: Male

The distal femur and proximal tibia show a diffuse increase in density with a patchy texture. A lamellated periosteal reaction is observed circumferentially around the distal femoral metaphysis, however no focal area of cortical violation or associated soft-tissue mass is observed.  

Nuclear medicine

The radio-pharmaceutical uptake in this case is extensive. If it were a little more extensive and more bilaterally symmetric, it might be referred to as a superscan. Notice that almost no radiopharmaceutical is left to be excreted by the kidneys. 

Case Discussion

It is a bit unusual to see a periosteal reaction with protate mets, or in any older individual for that matter because the periosteum is tightly adhered to bone and limited in its ability to react quickly or robustly to an underlying pathology. The blastic changes in this case however are none-the-less characteristic, and blastic mets from prostatic carcinoma must be the #1 differential diagnosis in an elderly male with patchy sclerotic bone changes. 

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