Differential Diagnosis for Lumbar Vertebral Lucency with Pulmonary Masses and Enlarged Prostate
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Metastatic prostate cancer: This is the most likely diagnosis given the combination of an enlarged prostate, lumbar vertebral lucency (suggestive of bone metastasis), and pulmonary masses. Prostate cancer commonly metastasizes to bones, particularly the spine, and can also spread to the lungs.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Metastatic lung cancer: Lung cancer can metastasize to the bones, causing vertebral lucency, and can also cause pulmonary masses. An enlarged prostate could be coincidental or related to another condition.
- Multiple myeloma: This is a type of blood cancer that can cause bone lesions (including vertebral lucency) and can also lead to pulmonary complications. However, the enlarged prostate would be less directly related to this diagnosis.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Lymphoma: Both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can cause pulmonary masses and bone lesions. Although less common, lymphoma can also involve the prostate or cause prostatic enlargement due to local invasion or secondary effects.
- Tuberculosis or other granulomatous diseases: These can cause pulmonary masses and bone lesions, including vertebral body destruction. Prostatic enlargement could be due to a separate condition, but tuberculosis can rarely involve the prostate.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Sarcoidosis: This is a systemic granulomatous disease that can affect the lungs (causing masses), bones (including vertebral lesions), and can rarely involve the prostate, leading to enlargement.
- Histoplasmosis or other fungal infections: In endemic areas, these infections can cause pulmonary masses and bone lesions, including vertebral involvement. Prostatic involvement would be rare but could occur in disseminated disease.