Work

Case Report: Uncommon MRI and PET/CT Imaging Findings in a Rare Case of Vertebral Sarcoidosis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory granulomatous disease that can affect almost any body organ. Among the musculoskeletal manifestations, which are uncommon, vertebral sarcoidosis is extremely rare, while depicting a significant variability in radiological features. We present a unique case of a 52‐year‐old male, who was referred for MRI of the lumbar spine due to inflammatory back pain. Disc bulging at the intervertebral spaces L1/L2, L4/L5, and L5/S1 was found, without any signs of spinal stenosis or nerve root involvement. In addition, multiple small focal lesions were noticed in the vertebrae and the iliac bones, thus raising suspicion of bone metastases. Subsequent 18 F‐FDG PET/CT showed neither evidence of primary tumor nor abnormal uptake in the vertebral lesions. No lytic or sclerotic pattern was recognized in CT scanning. Eventually, vertebral sarcoidosis was histologically confirmed by a nontargeted bone marrow biopsy of the iliac crest, performed as part of a standard hematological work‐up, which is the diagnostic gold standard for this pathologic entity. Follow‐up of the lesions with MRI scans showed stability over time, despite therapy with methotrexate.

Source: Case Reports in Radiology

DOI: 10.1155/crra/1056186

Authors: Waqas Hassoon Hammadi Hammadi, Melpomeni Varvounis, Konstantina Foufa

Institutions: Aarhus University Hospital, Sygehus Sønderjylland, Kolding Hospital, Lillebaelt Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Sarcoidosis and Beryllium Toxicity Research

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $790