TWO CASES OF INTRAMUSCULAR HEMANGIOMA ARISING IN THE CHEST WALL

Abstract

Intramuscular hemangioma growing invasively into the skeletal muscle rarely occurs comparing to hemangiomas arising in the skin or subcutaneous tissue. Since it frequently occurs in childhood and the most common location is on the lower extremities, it is very often discussed in the region of pediatric surgery or orthopedics. Two cases of intramuscular hemangioma arising in the chest wall are reported. The hemangioma was arising in the right latissimus dorsi muscle in a 16-year-old girl and in the left major pectoral muscle in a 28-year-old lady. The significant sign was a palpating mass which was broad-based, elastic soft often with the vascular murmur audible. CT scan was available in making preoperative diagnosis, demonstrating the lesion of heterogenously enhanced in the muscle tissue and widely attached to the ribs. Angiography might also contribute to the diagnosis by revealing the abnormal vessels of mosaic stain. When a symptom is palpating mass in the breast in a female an intramuscular hemangioma should be included in the differential diagnosis. The treatment of choice is surgical excision and complete excision is recommended so as not to recur.