Primary extraskeletal pleural osteosarcoma: a rare pleural identity

A 69-year-old female with a history of a heart transplant 16 years prior, presented with a large left chest mass identified on fluoroscopy in the cardiac catheterization lab. The patient noted a 40 pound weight loss in one year. A chest X-ray (CXR) and chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a large complex cystic mass in the left chest. A CT guided aspiration was performed, and the cytology for the cyst fluid was negative for malignancy. The patient continued to have worsening shortness of breath, a repeat chest CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) three months later, demonstrated a recurrence of the left pleural mass. Further, work-up was negative for tumor. A left video assisted thoracotomy exploration was performed and left thoracotomy was needed for the mass resection. The final pathology demonstrated a high grade osteosarcoma. The post-operative course was unremarkable.