The presentation of respiratory distress is rare. PA and lateral chest films are the first step in looking for origin of the mass and bone destruction. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is the next step, better characterizing the nature and extent of the lesion, the organ of origin, and soft tissue and pleural and bony involvement, thus narrowing the differential diagnosis. Computed tomography excels in showing the bony and cartilaginous components of the mass, and the presence of any pulmonary nodules. Magnetic resonance provides complimentary information about the soft tissue component of the mass, such as muscular, marrow, vascular, or spinal canal invasion.
Tissue biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis, and surgical resection for definitive cure.
Cases CAP Case 39 - a 17 yo male with fever, flu, left lower lobe infiltrate and left pleuritic chest pain. Presentation CT Followup CAP Case 27 - a newborn male with a large soft tissue mass in the region of the right scapula. Presentation CT Followup CAP Case 31 - an 11 year old male with a long standing right arm and chest wall mass. CXR Presentation CT Followup TAP Case 18 - a 3 year old male with a palpable chest wall mass below xiphoid for 3 months that was slowly increasing in size. Presentation CT Followup TAP Case 27 - 7 week old male with eczema and an enlarging left chest wall mass for one week.