Rib Osteoblastoma: A Rare Benign Primary Bone Tumor - Clinical Case Report

Abstract

Objective: To present a clinical case of a rare pathology, to know its aggressive behavior, its limited ability to metastasize, and its therapeutic management, as well as to review the current literature. Clinical Case: A 22-year-old male patient, with no personal or family history of the disease, was found to have a radiating mass at the left posterior 10th rib arch, with a rounded appearance, low-density areas inside, rounded, and well-defined microspheres at the margin, measuring 4.3 cm × 4.3 cm. The surgery was performed through a left posterolateral thoracotomy, which removed nearly two-thirds of the 10th posterior arch of the left rib and with its costal-vertebral disarticulation. Anatomic and pathological studies reported a histological diagnosis of rib osteoblastoma or giant cell bone tumor. Conclusion: This is uncommon and difficult to predict bone tumor in behavior, as almost all bone tumors contain giant cells. It is a primary bone tumor with benign features that invades the local area in an aggressive manner, with a biphasic component of giant cells and a highly vascularized spindle cell component. It often relapses and has limited metastatic ability. Osteoblastoma or giant cell tumor of the bone is a rare tumor located in the ribs, making it even more unusual. However, its prognosis is good, although it can recur and metastasize.