Self limiting sternal tumors of childhood: two case reports

Sternal tumours are rare in children. The differential diagnoses include a wide spectrum of benign (from bone cyst to osteoblastoma, osteochondroma and fibrous displasia) and malignant tumours (Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma rhabdomyosarcoma), inflammatory lesions and infectious processes. The SELSTOC (Self Limiting Sternal Tumours of Childhood) are entities of non-specific origin, they are self-limiting and characterised by a rapidly growing tumour that disappears spontaneously with no history of trauma or active infection. The onset of a rapidly growing mass with no preceding trauma is worrying to parents who then consult the health professionals. Soft tissue ultrasound enables us to characterise these lesions and define their nature in relation to the adjacent tissues. Chest x-ray and MRI can also help to characterise these lesions. In this paper we present two case reports of children referred to our department for characterisation of sternal tumours.