Elastofibroma dorsi: benign chest wall tumor

Elastofibroma dorsi was diagnosed in seven patients at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center between 1976 and 1986. The ages of the patients ranged from 6 to 79 years (mean 49.3 years). No sex predominance was seen. Five cases of unilateral subscapular tumor and two cases of bilateral masses were identified. Four patients had pain with arm motion, and the remaining patients were free of symptoms. A nonencapsulated soft tissue mass elevating the scapula was identified by computed tomography. Incisional biopsy was performed in all cases, followed by local excision of the tumor. On gross examination, these lesions were firm and rubbery. Histologic evaluation demonstrated a slightly hypercellular fibrous tissue that contained variable numbers of fragmented elastic fibers. All patients with symptomatic tumors had complete relief of their pain after the operation. No recurrences were observed. Clinically, elastofibroma may mimic sarcoma and fibromatosis (extraabdominal desmoid tumors). Whether elastofibroma is a true neoplasm or a reactive fibrous lesion that produces not only collagen, but also abnormal elastic fibers, has been the subject of controversy and remains undetermined.