title: Osteoblastoma of the rib: A rare benign tumor with an unusual location.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoblastoma is a rare benign bone tumor commonly located at spine and long bones. However, rib involvement has been reported less frequently.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this report, we describe a young adult male presenting with left posterolateral chest wall pain. Chest computed tomography showed a calcified tumor in the left third posterior segment of the rib. Radical mass resection was performed and histopathology confirmed a benign osteoblastoma. At last follow-up, 10 months postoperatively, the patient has eventually relieved of the unbearable chest pain. Imaging evaluation revealed no evidence of recurrent tumor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteoblastoma is an uncommon primary bone tumor accounting for only 1% of all bone tumors. Ribs are involved in less than 5% of patients. The disease has usually good prognosis with a tendency for local destruction and recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radical surgery remains the treatment of choice to prevent recurrences and to provide a definite diagnosis differentiating it from osteoblastoma-like osteosarcoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumonology, General Army Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: skatsenos@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Stamatis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katsenos
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Archondakis
authors.forename: Timotheos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakellaridis