Asymptomatic Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the Chest Wall in Child With Fluorodeoxyglucose Uptake on PET/CT—Report of a Case

Abstract

We had experience with a case of mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall (MHCW) with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). We reported the first case of asymptomatic MHCW in a child with preoperative PET/CT. Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall is a rare benign tumor that usually presents as a visible chest wall mass or respiratory problems secondary to compression of the lung in early infancy. It is often reported that malignant transformation is extraordinarily rare. Positron emission tomography/CT is useful for diagnosis of malignancy. There is no report of MHCW in a child with preoperative PET/CT before. We examined an asymptomatic 1-year-old girl with an incidental finding on a chest x-ray. Scans of CT and PET/CT were performed before surgical resection. After surgery, the resected tumor was examined histologically. Chest x-ray and CT scan of the chest confirmed a 25-3 20-mm round shaped intrapleural mass containing calcification and destructing the rib, arising from the third rib. Scan of PET/ CT demonstrated the mass with light FDG accumulation. Histologically, the mass was homogenous, with thick funicular of hyaline cartilage interdigitating with scattered fiber. There were no malignant cells. No malignant MHCW was demonstrated in the

Atypical Presentation of Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the Chest Wall in a One-Month-Old Infant

“…Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall is a very rare tumor 1,2,5-9 . The estimated incidence of the tumor is less than one case per million among the general population 1 MHCW presents mainly in newborns and infants 3,6,[8][9][10] . They usually present with a palpable chest mass, but they may also present with chest deformity or respiratory distress [10][11][12][13][14] .…”

“…Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall (MHCW) is a rare entity [1][2][3][4][5] . MHCW is a very rare benign extrapleural tumor that arises mainly from the central part of the ribs 1,[6][7][8][9] . There are approximately 80 reported cases in the literature 1 .…”

“…MHCW is a very rare benign extrapleural tumor that arises mainly from the central part of the ribs 1,[6][7][8][9] . There are approximately 80 reported cases in the literature 1 . The tumor is composed of maturing skeletal components.…”

“…The tumor is composed of maturing skeletal components. Most of the cases present with a chest wall deformity 1,[10][11][12] . It may result in respiratory symptoms, such as recurrent asthma-like symptoms or pneumonia.…”

“…It may, in some cases, progress to severe respiratory failure and death 13 . Nevertheless, if the condition is asymptomatic or causing tolerable symptoms, the tumor could be managed conservatively, and usually, it regresses 1,5,9,14 . Surgical resection is required in certain cases, especially if there is a significant respiratory compromise or in the case of massive hemorrhage 13,14 .…”