Mesenchymal Hamartoma of Chest Wall

  • Etiology: arise in rib, benign proliferation of skeletal tissue characterized by a prominent cartilaginous component and hemorrhagic cavities (secondary aneurysmal bone cyst)
  • Imaging: large, extrapleural, partially calcified soft-tissue mass arising from one or more ribs, with associated destruction and distortion of adjacent bony thorax
  • Complications: may cause severe respiratory compromise
  • Treatment: resection
  • Clinical: deforming chest wall mass often noticed at birth

Radiology Cases of Mesenchymal Hamartoma of Chest Wall

CXR and CT of mesenchymal hamartoma of chest wall
CXR AP shows a large mass arising from the left 4th-6th ribs. Axial CT without contrast of the chest with soft tissue windows (right upper and middle) show the mass to have a fluid-fluid level within it superiorly while bone windows (right lower) show the mass to be calcified.