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Case Reports
. 2020 Mar 20;6(3):20200015.
doi: 10.1259/bjrcr.20200015. eCollection 2020 Sep 1.

Non-traumatic complications of a solitary rib osteochondroma; an unusual cause of hemoptysis and pneumothorax

V E Versteegh  1 , W N Welvaart  2 , Eem Oberink-Gustafsson  3 , A Lindenholz  1 , Gha Staaks  4 , C M Schaefer-Prokop  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Non-traumatic complications of a solitary rib osteochondroma; an unusual cause of hemoptysis and pneumothorax

V E Versteegh et al. BJR Case Rep. .

Abstract

Osteochondromas are a very common and usually asymptomatic entity which may originate anywhere in the appendicular and axial skeleton. However, the ribs are a rare site of origin and here they may prove symptomatic for mechanical reasons. In this case report, we describe an unusual case of a symptomatic osteochondroma of the rib secondary to its location and unique shape, ultimately requiring surgical intervention.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
X-Thorax showing a leftsided apical pneumothorax (large arrow), left upper lobe consolidation (small arrow) and basal pleural adhesion (arrow head).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Axial CT angiography image (5 mm reconstruction; bone setting) showing osseous continuity of the osteochondroma and the sixth rib on the left side.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Sagittal and axial reconstruction CT angiography (in bone and pulmonary setting respectively), showing an osseous proliferation perforating the lung parenchyma causing a pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
(a) 3D volume rendering reconstruction of CT angiography (Syngo.via, Siemens (Erlangen; Germany)) showing the osteochondroma in our patient originating from the 6th rib and its continuity with the underlying bone. (b) Post-operative specimen after resection of the osteochondroma. 3D, three-dimensional.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Per-operative view of our patient illustrating the osteochondroma compromising the thoracic cavity.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Per-operative view of our patient illustrating the pulmonary hemorrhage adjacent to the osteochondroma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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