Brown tumors mimicking multiple myeloma: A case report

Abstract

Brown tumors (BT) are rare reactive bone lesions associated with hyperparathyroidism, often posing a diagnostic challenge due to their imaging similarity to multiple myeloma and lytic metastases. In this case, we present a 45-year-old woman with right-sided hip pain who underwent imaging studies showing numerous lytic hypermetabolic lesions initially suggestive of secondary neoplastic involvement vs multiple myeloma, necessitating several imaging tests for the conclusive diagnosis of BT. This case report aims to provide a contemporary overview of BT, elucidating differentiators from alternative diagnoses such as multiple myeloma.

Keywords

• Brown tumors
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Magnetic resonance imaging
• Positron emission tomography
• Multiple myeloma