A 62-year-old woman with primary hyperparathyroidism has a lytic lesion in the proximal tibia with cortical thinning and a ground-glass appearance on X-ray. She sustains a pathologic fracture through this lesion after a trivial fall. The lesion is best described as a:
- A Brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism ✓
- B Osteoid osteoma
- C Giant cell tumor of bone
- D Fibrous dysplasia
Correct answer: A. Brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism
Explanation
Brown tumors are lytic lesions caused by increased osteoclastic activity in hyperparathyroidism, appearing as well-defined lytic lesions with cortical thinning. They can cause pathologic fractures. Treatment is primarily medical (parathyroidectomy), with orthopedic management of the fracture as needed. Giant cell tumor occurs in the epiphysis, osteoid osteoma causes night pain relieved by NSAIDs, and fibrous dysplasia shows ground-glass matrix without hyperparathyroidism.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.