Thoracoscopic-Assisted Resection of a Chest Wall Hamartoma with Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst

Abstract

Introduction: Thoracoscopic-assisted resection of thoracic aneurysmal bone cyst has never been described in the literature. Infantile cartilaginous hamartoma of the rib is a large tumor characterized by cartilaginous, vascular, and mesenchymal elements. Most cases are diagnosed before the age of one year due to their rapid rate of growth and expansion. Aneurysmal bone cysts usually arise secondary to a pre-existing tumor, and are known for their hypervascularity. Use of preoperative embolization is one technique that has been described in the literature to facilitate resection of aneurysmal bone cysts and to avoid complications from hemorrhage. This is a presentation of the case of a ten-month-old boy with a large chest wall mass, confirmed by computed tomography guided biopsy to be a chest wall hamartoma with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst. Preoperatively the patient had an episode of hemorrhage into the mass requiring blood transfusion. Due to the concern for major hemorrhage during the procedure, the m...