These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Giant cell tumor of rib masquerading as thymoma: a diagnostic pitfall in needle core biopsy of the mediastinum.
    Author: Volmar KE, Sporn TA, Toloza EM, Martinez S, Dodd LG, Xie HB.
    Journal: Arch Pathol Lab Med; 2004 Apr; 128(4):452-5. PubMed ID: 15043459.
    Abstract:
    Giant cell tumor of bone is rarely seen in the rib, where it may present as a mediastinal mass. The diagnosis of giant cell tumor of bone is generally straightforward by fine-needle aspiration or needle core biopsy, but sampling problems may lead to confusion with other neoplasms or inflammatory processes. Here, we report a case of giant cell tumor of rib presenting as a mediastinal mass in a 36-year-old man. Because of inadequate sampling and inaccurate clinical information, the tumor was initially mistaken for thymoma. When the mass failed to respond to conventional chemotherapy, additional tissue was obtained and a giant cell tumor was diagnosed. Consequently, definitive therapy was delayed. The case illustrates an important diagnostic pitfall in the biopsy of mediastinal masses.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]