title: [Place of the microscopic examination in the diagnosis of costal fibrous dysplasia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fibrous dysplasia of bone is a rare benign lesion characterized by the coexistence of a fibrous tissue and an immature osteogenesis. Costal localization is rare and may be monostotic or polyostotic. The diagnosis may be suspected based on clinical and radiological findings. Facing the development of radiological investigations, we tried to highlight the diagnostic role of the microscopic examination through the experience of our department.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a retrospective study about 12 costal fibrous dysplasias diagnosed over a 17-year-period. Clinical records were retrieved from the department of thoracic surgery of the same hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Costal fibrous dysplasia is equally observed in men and women with predominance in the third and fourth decades. Clinical symptoms consist mainly in chest pain. Physical examination was normal in almost all cases. Based on the radiological findings, the diagnosis was suspected in 33% of the cases. Microscopic examination highlighted the diagnosis in all cases but it was challenging in one case and necessitated a multi-disciplinary approach. The difficulties encountered were due to artifact decalcification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Costal fibrous dysplasia is a benign lesion which diagnosis is based on microscopic features. Radiologic investigations show nonspecific features but allow to rule out a malignant tumor. The outcome of the patients is generally good except in rare cases with a malignant transformation.
authors.affiliation: Department of pathology, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, 2037 Tunis, Tunisie. Electronic address: mlika.zorgati.mona@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mlika
authors.affiliation: Department of pathology, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, 2037 Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bouallègue
authors.affiliation: Department of thoracic surgery, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, 2037 Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zribi
authors.affiliation: Department of pathology, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, 2037 Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Braham
authors.affiliation: Department of thoracic surgery, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, 2037 Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marghli
authors.affiliation: Department of pathology, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, 2037 Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mezni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003948:Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System; D005260:Female; D005357:Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Chirurgie; Côte; Dysplasie fibreuse; Fibrous dysplasia; Microscopie; Microscopy; Rib; Surgery