Eccentric cortical metastases to the skeleton from bronchogenic carcinoma

Six cases of bronchogenic carcinoma metastatic to bone are reported in which the radiographic pattern of the skeletal metastases was remarkably similar. In each case, the osseous involvement was predominantly cortical, producing a focal area of geographic bone destruction. Predominant roentgen involvement of the cortex without evidence of extensive medullary destructon is unusual with metastatic lesions and has not, to our knowledge, been previously ascribed to a specific tumor. A brief review of distinctive features of metastatic skeletal lesions is given and a possible pathogenic mechanism offered to explain the unusual cortical location of the metastatic deposits in these cases.