Elastofibroma dorsi as a cause of shoulder pain or snapping scapula

Abstract

Elastofibroma dorsi is a benign soft tissue tumor, not well-known because of its low incidence, located in the chest wall in the subscapular area. In 10 patients with elastofibroma dorsi, the clinical symptoms were snapping scapula or shoulder pain. In three of the patients, the previous diagnosis was shoulder impingement, and the patients were treated without success. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Surgical treatment resolved the symptoms in all patients. This tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of snapping scapula or shoulder impingement.