Lumbalgia aguda con imagen «en suelta de globos» en la radiografía simple de tórax / Low back pain with a "detachable balloons" image in a simple chest X-ray

La imagen «en suelta de globos» en la radiografía simple de tórax no es muy común en atención primaria. Presentamos el caso de un paciente que consulta por lumbalgia no complicada. La radiografía de columna es indicativa de artrosis. Dentro del Programa de Actividades Preventivas PAPPS se le solicita análisis de sangre que muestra una anemia moderada. Durante el estudio posterior se descubre una imagen de nódulos pulmonares múltiples («en suelta de globos») en la radiografía simple de tórax. El paciente es remitido al hospital donde se detecta un probable carcinoma de células renales en la tomografía computarizada (TC) toracoabdominal. Finalmente, el síntoma inicial (lumbalgia) era debido a metástasis óseas pero se necesitó la posterior información para continuar con el proceso diagnóstico. La anemia y la imagen «en suelta de globos» fueron claves para el diagnóstico final (AU)

The "detachable balloons" image in simple chest-X-ray is not very common in Priamry Care. We present the case of patient who consulted for uncomplicated low back pain. The spine X-ray was suggestive of arthrosis. A blood analysis was requested within the Preventive Activities Programme, which showed moderate anaemia. The patient was referred to the Hospital where a probable renal cell carcinoma was detected in the thoraco-abdominal Computed Axial Tomography. Finally, the initial symptom (low back pain) was due to bone metastasis, but further information was required to continue with the diagnostic process. The anaemia and the "detachable balloons" image were key factors in the final diagnosis (AU)

[Low back pain with a "detachable balloons" image in a simple chest X-ray]. / Lumbalgia aguda con imagen «en suelta de globos¼ en la radiografía simple de tórax.

The "detachable balloons" image in simple chest-X-ray is not very common in Primary Care. We present the case of patient who consulted for uncomplicated low back pain. The spine X-ray was suggestive of arthrosis. A blood analysis was requested within the Preventive Activities Programme, which showed moderate anaemia. The patient was referred to the Hospital where a probable renal cell carcinoma was detected in the thoraco-abdominal Computed Axial Tomography. Finally, the initial symptom (low back pain) was due to bone metastasis, but further information was required to continue with the diagnostic process. The anaemia and the "detachable balloons" image were key factors in the final diagnosis.