Bilateral chondromesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall in children

Abstract

Chondromesenchymal hamartoma (CMH) of the chest wall is a rare benign tumor arising from the ribs and affecting mainly infants and young children. Intrathoracic tension syndrome and scoliotic deformities are the leading clinical manifestations in such patients. At the same time, tumor removal, which always includes rib resection, leads to chest wall deformities. The issue of the optimal method of thoracoplasty for such lesions remains unresolved. Our study presents the 15th case of bilateral chondromesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall among those described in the world literature. Surgical intervention to remove tumor consisted of three stages due to the bilateral lesion and ongoing tumor growth in the postoperative period. Xenopericardial plates and an artificial rib were used as materials for thoracoplasty. Key words: chest wall, children, artificial rib, xenopericardium, thoracoplasty, chondromesenchymal hamartoma