This image likely shows a patient with:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lytic bone disease is correct because of a very important observation-there is a pedicle missing on the left. Scoliosis is not appropriate because the scoliosis is not severe, and there is a much more important observation than the mild scoliosis shown. Vertebral body compression fracture is incorrect because no fractures are shown. Degenerative disk disease is incorrect because it is inappropriate to attribute symptoms to the spondylosis shown (which is very common in older individuals), especially when there is such an important finding as a destroyed pedicle. There are two important teaching points to this question. First, a clinically important radiologic finding can be surrounded by trivial incidental findings. Second, because crucially important radiologic findings can be subtle and surrounded by trivial incidental findings, it is important that every medical professional interpreting medical images be provided with relevant clinical information such as oncologic history.

This Image Likely Shows a Patient With