Capillary hemangioma in a rib presenting as large pleural effusion

Abstract

Intraosseous hemangioma in a rib is extremely rare, and most of the few reported cases are of the cavernous subtype. First we describe a capillary hemangioma arising from a rib in a 64-year-old woman that developed into a large, one-sided pleural effusion during the course of a 3-year follow-up. In addition to the life-threatening condition, the tumor demonstrated malignant imaging features such as a sunburst-like appearance or cortical disruption on plain roentgenogram and computed tomography. This case report adds to the literature on a serious complication and also discusses the diagnosis and management of this rare disease.