Low back pain is often managed at all levels of healthcare. In general,
diagnostic investigation begins with radiography of the lumbar spine. In
addition to the most common findings, radiologists can identify increased
density of a vertebral body, referred to as ivory vertebra. The objective of
this study was to describe the main diseases that can present with this
radiologic sign, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, Paget's disease, metastatic prostate
cancer, breast cancer, and osteomyelitis. It is extremely important that
radiologists be aware of this finding in order to inform the requesting
physician of the possible etiologies, given that it can be the initial
radiologic presentation for these diseases.