Surgical Treatment of a Giant Thoracic Lipoblastoma in a One-Year-Old: A Case Report

Lipoblastoma (LB) is a rare benign tumor of adipose tissue that typically occurs in infancy and early childhood. Its thoracic location with an intrathoracic extension is exceedingly uncommon. This study aims to describe a rare case of thoracic lipoblastoma. The main challenges in this case stem from its unusual location and the tumor's considerable size, which elevate surgical and anesthesiology risks. We present the case of a one-year-old boy with a history of cough and fever, which were treated symptomatically. Incidentally, a chest X-ray revealed a tumor. Computed tomography revealed a giant tumor occupying the entire left pleural cavity. A percutaneous biopsy was performed for verification. Subsequently, a left posterolateral thoracotomy was conducted, and the tumor was completely excised. The procedure carried heightened anesthesiology risks due to compression of the mediastinal organs. Histopathology revealed that the tumor is a benign lipoblastoma, obviating the need for postoperative treatment. The patient recovered uneventfully after the surgery. Thoracic lipoblastoma in the pediatric population is an extremely rare event, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Nonetheless, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of thoracic tumors in children.