Primary hyperparathyroidism-related brown tumors mimicking other giant cell-containing skeletal tumors: role of correlative imaging in diagnosis

A patient initially suspected of having a giant cell granuloma was subsequently found-through additional imaging with (99m)Tc-sestamibi and ultrasound-to have osteolytic brown tumors caused by a parathyroid adenoma. Brown tumors that relate to primary hyperparathyroidism may mimic other skeletal tumors that contain giant cells, presenting difficulty with accurate diagnosis. Correlative imaging can have a valuable role in such cases, potentially avoiding the extensive work-up usually done for suspected bone metastases.