Imaging Presentation Highly Manifested as Tuberculosis in Spinal Hemangioendothelioma: A Case Report

Abstract

Although spinal tuberculosis and spinal tumors are difficult to distinguish in clinical manifestations, their respective imaging presentations are typical and specific, which makes it relatively easier to attain a correct diagnosis. Spinal tuberculosis is usually endemic in developing countries with conditions of poverty and malnutrition. Tuberculosis is also common in China, and we are experienced in diagnosing tuberculosis spondylitis. However, the diversification and the trend of tumor incidence in modern society are also increasing, which challenges our diagnosis of a spinal tumor. This article presents a case of spinal metastasis tumors whose imaging presentation is so similar to tuberculosis that we made a diagnostic error on it. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine highly supported the initial diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis. However, pathological examination of the excised specimen resulted in the diagnosis of spinal hemangioendothelioma.