title: Management of symptomatic mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall: surgical resection only in symptomatic cases.
abstract: Mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall (MHCW) is a rare neonatal benign tumor with an estimated incidence of 1 in 3 000 among primary bone tumors, and 1 in one million in the general population. Traditionally, the treatment of choice was an "en bloc" resection, but surgery limited to symptomatic cases, is now suggested by most authors due to the numerous cases of spontaneous regressions. We report 2 patients of symptomatic MHCW, characterized by progressive respiratory distress, who underwent surgical treatment with prompt resolution of symptoms. Surgeons and neonatologists should be aware of this rare condition and its possible fatal or nearly-fatal complications.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University-Hospital of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Virgone
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University-Hospital of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dall'Igna
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, Department of Medical and Diagnostic Sciences and Special Therapies, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alaggio
authors.affiliation: Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Sant'Anna University-Hospital, Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Burnelli
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University-Hospital of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Zanon
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University-Hospital of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cecchetto
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed