Case ReportBrown tumour of the spine in a renal transplant patient
Section snippets
Case report
A 30-year-old male presented with back pain and unsteadiness of gait. The patient also described difficulty in micturition. He had previously undergone a renal transplant for end-stage renal failure secondary to a congenital structural abnormality and was known to suffer from secondary hyperparathyroidism.
On examination, his gait was broad based, but his power and proprioception were normal. His plantar responses were downgoing and his reflexes were normal, and his rectal examination revealed
Discussion
Although “brown tumour” suggests an aggressive lesion, it is a non-neoplastic process. Brown tumours are benign and represent localized accumulation of osteoclasts, fibrous tissue and blood; their high hemosiderin level gives them their characteristic brown colour.1
They occur as single or multiple lesions and can be found both within bone and in adjacent soft tissue. They commonly occur in the mandible, maxillary sinus, sternum, pelvis and femur. Brown tumours occur almost always exclusively in
Conclusion
Brown tumour is a rare complication of renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism. It should be considered where the clinical findings and imaging investigations support it as a likely diagnosis. Aggressive investigation to search for primary malignant lesions is not warranted. Primary treatment aimed at correcting biochemical abnormalities should be the first line of treatment. Surgery should be considered only if the primary treatment has failed or when there are impending or actual
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Chronic renal failure causing brown tumours and myelopathy. Case report and review of pathophysiology and treatment
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Brown tumor in secondary hyperparathyroidism causing acute paraplegia
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Cited by (11)
Diagnostic Imaging: Spine
2015, Diagnostic Imaging: SpineBrown tumor of the cervical spine with primary hyperparathyroidism: A case report and literature review
2023, Medicine (United States)Multiple Focal Brown Tumors (Osteitis Fibrosa Cystica) in a Renal Transplant Recipient
2022, Case Reports in NephrologyBrown tumor causing thoracic compressive myelopathy: A case report and review of literature
2021, Indian Spine JournalBrown tumor due to primary hyperparathyroidism resulting in acute paraparesis: Case report and literature review
2020, Surgical Neurology International