Large rib osteochondroma in a child in Aleppo, Syria

Osteochondromas are the most common tumors of the long bones in children. Osteochondromas can rarely be seen in the chest wall and they are usually diagnosed at a young age. They can be sporadic or part of the hereditary multiple exostoses.

We report a 12-year-old boy, who presented with a hard and large mass in the chest wall. The mass grew slowly after the original resection. Diagnosis and treatment were delayed because of the war. Radiological examination showed a large calcified tumor pushing the upper lung lobe. He was treated surgically. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of an osteochondroma with no evidence of malignancy.

Osteochondroma occur most frequently in long bones next to the metaphysic. These tumors can also develop in unusual sites. Wide total excision with negative margins is important to prevent recurrence.