Leiomyomas requiring chest wall resection and reconstruction

Leiomyomas of the chest wall are very rare in the literature; only nine cases have been reported. We present two cases: First case was a 32-year-old female. Two separate pleural tumors were detected and resection was performed. Local recurrence occurred after 1 year follow-up and required chest wall resection and reconstruction. The second case is a 43-year-old male. A tumor was found in 7th rib's cartilage at radiological examination, and chest wall resection and reconstruction was performed. Both cases were diagnosed as leiomyoma in pathological examination. Multiple leiomyomas of chest wall or leiomyoma in rib was not reported in literature previously. Clinical and radiological appearance of leiomyomas can be variable, and discordance can be seen between these and the pathological diagnosis. Chest wall resection may be required for cure of the leiomyomas although they are rare and considered as benign. © 2012 The Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery.