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Been Having Shoulder Pain. X Ray Showed Shadow In Bone. Is A Bone Biopsy A Normal Thing To Do?

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Posted on Wed, 11 Jul 2012
Question: my brother has been having shoulder pain. Orthopedic MD did an MRI which was said to be "normal". A routine xray of the arm and shoulder showed a "shadow" in the bone of the upper arm. Now he is told he needs a bone biopsy. What are the possibilities for the "shadow"? Is a bone biopsy a normal thing to do?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
A shadow in bone of the upper arm could be due to a simple cyst, chronic infections like tuberculosis or a mass/ tumor related to bone.
A bone biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to this, going for blood investigations like complete blood counts, mantoux test and serum alkaline phosphatase will help in pin pointing the diagnosis.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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Been Having Shoulder Pain. X Ray Showed Shadow In Bone. Is A Bone Biopsy A Normal Thing To Do?

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
A shadow in bone of the upper arm could be due to a simple cyst, chronic infections like tuberculosis or a mass/ tumor related to bone.
A bone biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to this, going for blood investigations like complete blood counts, mantoux test and serum alkaline phosphatase will help in pin pointing the diagnosis.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.