Osteoblastic and osteoclastic metastases in a single vertebra-a rare presentation

Malignancies may produce bony metastases which may be osteoclastic or osteoblastic. Vertebrae are a common site for bony metastases. Prostatic adenocarcinoma is an important source of vertebral metastases that are mainly osteoblastic in nature. As the osteoblastic metastases are developing there is an ongoing osteoclastic activity which is going on at the microscopic level. Presence of gross osteoblastic and osteoclastic lesions, in the same vertebra, have not been reported at the time of presentation. Here a rare case of vertebral metastases is being presented which shows osteoblastic and osteoclastic gross lesions in the same vertebra.