Schmorl Nodes Mimicking Osteolytic Bone Metastases

Bone is the third most common site of metastasis from upper tract urothelial carcinoma after radical nephroureterectomy. Although bone biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of bone metastases, they can usually be diagnosed on the basis of imaging tests. We describe a case of upper tract urothelial carcinoma after radical nephroureterectomy presenting with a Schmorl node in the third lumbar vertebra, mimicking lytic bone metastasis. Differentiation of bone metastases from Schmorl nodes is essential for the appropriate management of patients with malignancy.