BACKGROUND: First rib tumors are extremely rare. Its compression of neurovascularity can easily lead to severe complications such as thoracic outlet syndrome, so early surgical resection is crucial. However, there is no standardized approach to surgery.
METHODS: A previously healthy 18-year-old Chinese male undergoes a chest computed tomography (CT) scan that incidentally reveals a raised calcified mass on the right first rib, which is most likely an osteochondroma when combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We achieved excellent results with resection and thoracic reconstruction by adopting an inverse L-shaped incision in the anterior chest and a longitudinal split of the sternum.
CONCLUSIONS: Our practice provides great reference for the surgical management of first rib tumors.

BACKGROUND: Autologous costal cartilage has gained widespread acceptance as an important material for ear reconstruction in patients with microtia. Despite its recognition as being \"worth the trade-off,\" attention should be directed toward donor-site deformities. This systematic review focused on existing English literature related to microtia reconstruction and aimed to reveal the incidence of chest wall deformities and assess the effectiveness of the various proposed surgical techniques aimed at reducing donor-site morbidities.
METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted on Pubmed and OVID using the keywords \"microtia,\" and \"chest deformity\" or \"rib harvest.\" Articles were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data acquisition encompassed patient demographics, employed surgical techniques, methods for evaluating chest deformity, and incidence of associated complications.
RESULTS: Among the 362 identified articles, 21 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 2600 cases involving 2433 patients with microtia were analyzed in this review. Perichondrium preservation during cartilage harvesting led to a significant reduction in chest deformities. However, the wide incidence range (0% to 50%) and the lack of specific assessment methods suggested potential underestimation. Computed tomography revealed reduced chest wall growth in the transverse and sagittal directions, resulting in decreased thoracic area. Innovative surgical techniques have shown promising results in reducing chest deformities.
CONCLUSIONS: Although a quantitative analysis was not feasible, objective evidence of deformities was established through computed tomography scans. This analysis highlighted the need for dedicated studies with larger sample sizes to further advance our understanding of chest wall deformities in microtia reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Intercostal hemangioma (IH) is an extremely rare disease, with only 18 cases reported in the past 30 years. Herein, we report the first case of IH coexisting with multiple hepatic hemangiomas, which recurred 32 months after surgery with rib erosion. IHs are invasive and difficult to distinguish from other intercostal tumors on imaging. To date, there have been no review articles on the imaging findings of IHs. We hope that this article will help clinicians improve their ability to diagnose and treat IH.
METHODS: A 58-year-old male came to our hospital with gastrointestinal disease. Chest tumors were accidentally discovered on routine chest computed tomography (CT). The patient had no chest symptoms. The patient also had multiple liver tumors that had been present for 2 years but with no remarkable changes.
METHODS: Plain chest CT revealed 2 adjacent masses protruding from the left chest wall into the thoracic cavity. Neurogenic tumors or hamartomas were suspected on enhanced CT scans. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan indicated multiple liver tumors as MMHs, which was consistent with the 2 previous Doppler ultrasound findings.
METHODS: Surgeons removed the chest tumors by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. No treatment was provided for the MMHs.
RESULTS: Two tumors of the chest wall were diagnosed as the IHs. There were no significant changes in the hepatic tumors after 32 months of follow-up. Unfortunately, the IH recurred, and the left 5th rib was slightly eroded.
CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to include IHs as a potential differential diagnosis for chest wall tumors because early clinical intervention can prevent tumor growth and damage to adjacent structures. The imaging findings of IH show special characteristics. Preoperative imaging evaluation and diagnosis of IH are helpful for safe and effective surgery. Because of the high recurrence rate, complete surgical resection of IH with a sufficient tumor-free margin is recommended. It should be noted that the ribs should also be removed when the surrounding ribs are suspected to have been violated.

BACKGROUND: Chest wall tumors are a heterogeneous group of tumors that are managed by surgeons from diverse specialties. Due to their rarity, there is no consensus on their diagnosis and management.
METHODS: This retrospective, descriptive analysis includes patients with malignant chest wall tumors undergoing chest wall resection. Tumors were classified as primary, secondary, and metastatic tumors. The analysis includes clinicopathological characteristics, resection-reconstruction profile, and relapse patterns.
RESULTS: A total of 181 patients underwent chest wall resection between 1999 and 2020. In primary tumors (69%), the majority were soft tissue tumors (59%). In secondary tumors, the majority were from the breast (45%) and lung (42%). Twenty-five percent of patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 98% of patients underwent R0 resection. Soft tissue, skeletal + soft tissue, and extended resections were performed in 45%, 70%, and 28% of patients, respectively. The majority of patients (60%) underwent rib resections, and a median of 3.5 ribs were resected. The mean defect size was 24 cm2. Soft tissue reconstruction was performed in 40% of patients, mostly with latissimus dorsi flaps. Rigid reconstruction was performed in 57% of patients, and 18% underwent mesh-bone cement sandwich technique reconstruction. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were given to 29% and 39% of patients, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the largest single-institutional experiences on malignant chest wall tumors. The results highlight varied tumor spectra and multimodality approaches for optimal functional and survival outcomes. In limited resource setting, surgery, including reconstructive expertise, is very crucial.

About half of osteosarcomas occur near the knee joint, but other sites such as the humerus, upper femur, fibula, spine, and ilium can also occur. However, rib osteosarcoma is rarely reported. Here, we report the case of a 17-year-old female who was found to have a left dorsal mass on physical examination. Computed tomography (CT) revealed bone destruction in the seventh rib, leading to surgery for mass excision. Pathological results suggested chondroblastic osteosarcoma. After surgery, the patient was treated with chemotherapy and is doing well.

Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRFs) has become an emerging therapy for treatment of patients with rib fractures. More commonly, it is used in the acute setting; however, delayed SSRF can be utilized for symptomatic rib fracture nonunions. Here, we describe our institution\'s experience with delayed SSRF, hypothesizing it is safe and resolves patient symptoms.
This is a retrospective review of patients presenting to our Level I trauma center to undergo delayed SSRF for symptomatic nonunions from January 2017 to September 2022. Delayed SSRF was defined as SSRF over 2 weeks in the outpatient setting. Basic demographics were obtained. Outcomes of interest included mean pain score (preoperatively and postoperatively), intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), and resolution of preoperative symptoms, specifically chest wall instability, with return to activities of daily living (ADLs).
Forty-four patients met inclusion criteria with a total of 156 symptomatic nonunion rib fractures that received delayed SSRF. The average age was 59.2 ± 11.9 years and median number of days from injury to SSRF was 172.5 (interquartile range, 27.5-200). The average number rib fractures plated per patient 3.5 ± 1.8. Only three patients required ICU admission postoperatively for no longer than 2 days. Median hospital LOS was 2 days (interquartile range 1-3 days). Average preoperative and postoperative pain score was 6.8 ± 1.9 and 2.02 ± 1.5, respectively ( p < 0.001). Chest wall instability and preoperative symptoms resolved in 93.2% of patients postoperatively ( p < 0.001). Two patients (4.5%) had postoperative complications that resolved after additional surgical intervention. Rib fracture healing was demonstrated on radiographic imaging during postoperative follow-up.
Delayed SSRF is safe and demonstrates significant resolution of preoperative symptoms by decreasing pain, improving chest wall stability, and allowing patients to return to activities of daily living.
Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

BACKGROUND: Xanthomas are well-circumscribed benign proliferative lesions seen mainly in soft tissues. Usually, they are found in hyperlipidemia and familial hyperlipoproteinemia. Histologically, are characterized by macrophage-like mononuclear cells, multinucleated giant cells and abundant foam cells. The bone involvement, however, is notoriously rare and rib localization is extremely rare.
METHODS: A 55-year-old man performed a chest X-ray and a subsequent chest Computed Tomography scan showing a rib lesion that was surgically removed and a diagnosis of rib xanthoma was made. The patient presented an unknown condition of hyperlipidemia.
CONCLUSIONS: Rib xanthoma can be discovered accidentally and can be helpful in identifying an unrecognized condition of hyperlipidemia.

Scoliosis before the age of 5 years is referred to as early-onset scoliosis (EOS). While causes may vary, EOS can potentially affect respiratory function and lung development as children grow. Moreover, scoliosis can lead to thoracic insufficiency syndrome when aggravated or left untreated. Therefore, spinal thoracic deformities often require intervention in early childhood, and solving these problems requires new methods that include the means for both deformity correction and growth maintenance. Therapeutic strategies for preserving the growing spine and thorax include growth rods, vertically expandable titanium artificial ribs, MAGEC rods, braces and casts. The goals of any growth-promoting surgical strategy are to alter the natural history of cardiorespiratory development, limit the progression of underlying spondylarthrosis deformities and minimize negative changes in spondylothorax biomechanics due to the instrumental action of the implant. This review further elucidates EOS in terms of its aetiology, pathogenesis, pathology and treatment.

Chondrosarcoma (CS) is most common primary osseous tumor of the chest wall. The aim of this study was to report results from surgical procedures and evaluate clinical factors predicting survival of patients with chest wall CSs treated in a single tertiary sarcoma center.
Fifty patients with primary CS located in the ribs and sternum were included. Details of the clinical data and oncological outcomes, including local recurrence (LR) and disease-specific survival (DSS), were collected.
The tumor was primarily originated in the sternum in 6 patients (12.5%) and in ribs 2 to 11 in the remaining patients. Specimens were histologically graded 1 in 13 patients (26%), 2 in 28 (56%), 3 in 8 (16%), and 1 (2%) as mesenchymal grade 3 CS. R0 margins were obtained in all cases. Reconstruction was warranted in 47 (94%) cases. Local recurrence developed in 3 (6%) patients, and the median time to LR was 17 (range, 16-68) months. Eight (16%) patients developed metastasis. Increasing tumor volume was a statistically significant factor for reduction of DSS.
Chondrosarcoma of the chest wall can be treated effectively with clear margins, resulting in lower LR rate and higher DSS than CS of the extremities and pelvis. Metastasis of the chest wall mostly occurs in high-grade tumors, and the locations of the metastases differ greatly from those observed in CS of the extremities and pelvis. Metastases are commonly extrapulmonary, indicating the need for postoperative follow-up with multiple imaging modalities to monitor recurrence and metastases.

Autologous costal cartilage is used extensively in reconstructive surgery because of its stability, durability, and biocompatibility. The current preoperative evaluation of costal cartilage often only consists of a physical examination. Several studies have highlighted the benefits of preoperative imaging as a tool to ensure optimal graft harvest. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence and establish the efficacy of the various imaging modalities for the assessment of costal cartilage.
The data sources were explored using a search strategy based on the terms (\"costal cartilage\" OR \"ribs\" AND \"imaging*\") combined with Boolean operators. The primary outcome measures were the ability to measure the dimensions of costal cartilages and to detect the presence of calcifications.
A total of 28 publications were included in the final review, with 12 case series, 7 case control studies, and 9 cohort studies. Twenty-two studies used computed tomography (CT); 4 studies used x-ray and 2 studies used ultrasonography, whereas no studies used magnetic resonance imaging. Meta-analysis of the data from these studies was not deemed possible.
Our findings suggest that CT is the modality with the strongest evidence base that provides the greatest degree of information. The major benefits of CT are its ability to provide 3-dimensional image reconstruction for surgical planning, ability to detect synchondroses, and assess cartilage quality. Where radiation exposure is less preferable, x-ray and ultrasound (US) may play an important role. X-ray appears to be particularly useful when the main concern is the presence of calcification. The limited studies available indicate that US can provide useful and accurate information on cartilage quality and morphology. Further studies are warranted in exploring the use of US in preoperative planning, particularly in the pediatric population.