Supernumerary intrathoracic rib, a rare congenital anomaly: Case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

A 17-year-old female who presented with cough, chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis was found to have an intrathoracic rib. Patients who are diagnosed with intrathoracic ribs are most often asymptomatic and should undergo limited diagnostic workup. Intrathoracic ribs are rare congenital anomalies incidentally identified after chest radiography performed for another indication, as is the case with this patient. In this case, further evaluation was necessary due to persistent symptoms. Here, we used contrast-enhanced ultrasound after chest radiography and computed tomography to further evaluate the fatty intrathoracic mass and exclude vascular features suggestive of atumor.