Multifocal mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall in a newborn

Abstract

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall is an extremely rare, benign chondro-osseous chest wall tumor which originates from one or more ribs, in newborns or infants. It usually appears as a solitary lesion but more rarely can be multifocal and bilateral. Sometimes it may mimic chest wall malignant tumors because of its destructive radiological nature. Herein, we aim to present the imaging characteristics of a 4-day-old boy with multifocal mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall.

Multifocal Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the Newborn

“…The mass occurs in isolation without other congenital anomalies. Most mesenchymal hamartomas will increase in size rapidly after diagnosis and regress after a plateau phase in the first year of life 2. Involution may occur due to a lack of vascularity to the mass.…”

“…The hemorrhagic cystic component of a mesenchymal hamartoma, seen on MRI as aneurysmal bone cyst-like fluid levels, is characteristic and unique to mesenchymal hamartomas. The fluid-filled component distinguishes a mesenchymal hamartoma from other malignant tumors such as an Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, or neuroblastoma 2. The MRI of the chest resulted in 3 masses with the characteristic hemorrhagic cystic component.…”

“…The fluidfilled component distinguishes a mesenchymal hamartoma from other malignant tumors such as an Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, or neuroblastoma. 2 The MRI of the chest resulted in 3 masses with the characteristic hemorrhagic cystic component. A large heterogeneously enhancing, partially cystic mass, centered within the posterior left fourth rib with the adjacent bone's remodeling was found (Figure 2).…”