Virtual Pediatric Hospital(tm) : A digital library of pediatric information

Home | About Us | FAQ | Reviews | Search

Additional pediatric resources: GeneralPediatrics.com | PediatricEducation.org | SearchingPediatrics.com


Virtual Pediatric Hospital: Back Pain in Children: Case Examples of Back Pain in Children: Case 2 Back Pain in Children: Case Examples of Back Pain in Children

Case 2

Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed


Three year old female with a three week history of intermittent, worsening back pain, that eventually resulted in her refusing to walk. There was no history of trauma or infection. She had no fever and had a normal white blood cell count and sedimentation rate. Clinically she was felt to have a tumor.

case 2: image 1 iconImage 1

case 2: image 2 iconImage 2

case 2: image 3 iconImage 3

A percutaneous biopsy was performed to exclude a malignant process. The biopsy findings were compatible with Histiocytosis X.

Histiocytosis X is caused by an abnormal proliferation of histiocytes. The classic finding on plain radiographs is flattening of the vertebral bodies known as "vertebra plana," and lytic lesions. Around the vertebral bodies, a soft tissue paravertebral mass may be seen. Although the diagnosis may often be made from plain film, a bone scan is often performed to look for distant lesions, as there may be multiple lesions in cases of Histiocytosis X. Once a lesion is discovered, CT and MRI may delineate it better, if necessary.

Title Page


Home | About Us | FAQ | Reviews | Search

Additional pediatric resources: GeneralPediatrics.com | PediatricEducation.org | SearchingPediatrics.com


Virtual Pediatric Hospital is curated by Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and by Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.

Please send us comments by filling out our Comment Form.

All contents copyright © 1992-2024 Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. and the authors. All rights reserved.

"Virtual Pediatric Hospital", the Virtual Pediatric Hospital logo, and "A digital library of pediatric information" are all Trademarks of Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D.

Virtual Pediatric Hospital is funded in whole by Donna M. D'Alessandro, M.D. and Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D. Advertising is not accepted.

Your personal information remains confidential and is not sold, leased, or given to any third party be they reliable or not.

The information contained in Virtual Pediatric Hospital is not a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

URL: http://www.virtualpediatrichospital.org/