Thoracic wall lipoblastoma: a case report and review of histopathology and cytogenetics

A rare case of a successfully excised intra- and extrathoracic lipoblastoma of the anterior chest wall in a 13-month-old female infant is reported. Histopathology and cytogenetical analysis established the diagnosis of a lipoblastoma. The differential diagnosis, histology and cytogenetical evaluation of lipomatous neoplasms are discussed. Karyotypic analysis may be of use in diagnostically difficult cases owing to the characteristic alterations in 18q11-13. A complete resection of lipoblastomas is feasible and advantageous with no need for a mutilating radical excision.