Hemangioma of rib masquerading a malignancy

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Oncology
• Radiology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Hemangioma of bone is a rare osseous tumor (<1% of all bone tumors).
• Rib hemangiomas are uncommon, often asymptomatic, but can grow and cause symptoms.
• Preoperative diagnosis is challenging due to overlapping imaging features with malignant lesions.

Observation:

• A case of rib hemangioma is presented.
• The lesion mimicked a malignant tumor on preoperative imaging.
• Diagnostic challenges and treatment considerations for rib hemangiomas are discussed.

Findings:

• Rib hemangiomas can present with radiological features similar to malignancies.
• Preoperative aspiration and biopsy carry inherent risks and benefits.
• Surgical excision is the preferred treatment for monostotic rib hemangiomas.

Implications:

• Accurate preoperative diagnosis of rib hemangiomas remains difficult.
• Complete surgical excision offers a low risk of recurrence and minimal postoperative complications.
• Understanding the behavior of rib hemangiomas is crucial for appropriate patient management.