Metastatic lung cancer detected by lumbar bone densitometry - A case report

A lumbar bone densitometry examination was performed in a patient with seve re low back pain but no pathologic findings on initial laboratory and radio logic investigations. The bone mineral density of the spine was in the low- normal range (90.5% age matched), with the L4 vertebra bone mineral density less than the others, whereas image analysis showed a defect in the right part of its body. Additional radiographs confirmed this finding, which was proved to be a metastatic lesion from a primary lung cancer. Although not i ntended for diagnosis, the results of image analysis of bone densitometry s hould be evaluated carefully.