Case report: Brown tumor, a masquerader of malignancy

Abstract

There are various causes of multiple lytic lesions in bone in adults, among which metastases and multiple myeloma top the list. Brown tumor is a rare cause of multiple lytic lesions in bone in the present era. This is due to the early diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism by serological investigations and effective treatment. Brown tumor is named after its gross pathological appearance and is focal reactive osteolysis secondary to elevated parathyroid hormone. We herein present a case of a 36-year-old female with multiple osteolytic lesions with high suspicion of metastases, but a methodical radiological investigation suggested a case of primary hyperparathyroidism with multiple brown tumors. Therefore, brown tumor should always be kept as a differential diagnosis in the case of multiple lytic lesions in bone in adult patients.