Table 1 Summary of cases of rib xanthoma and their histopathological characteristics

Bertoni et al. [6]

n. 3

History of trauma;

Hyperlipidemia not mentioned

On CT-scan, all lesions are purely lucent. They appear as well-definited areas, sometimes expansile lytic lesion, with either a small area of surrounding reactive bone or a distinct sclerotic margin

The lesions are solid, soft, granular, and dull yellow

Foam cells, giant cells, cholesterol clefts, and fibrosis are present in varying degree

Chest pain and soft tissue xanthomas

Surgical treatment

Lee et al. [22]

n.1

No history of trauma or hyperlipidemia

Tc-99m MDP bone images show an elongated main lesion in the left rib cage

Proliferation of foamy histyocites with areas of fibrosis and new bone formation along small vascular channel

Soreness over the left anterior thorax

Open biopsy

McDermott et al. [23]

n.3

Two cases with history of trauma

Hyperlipidemia not mentioned

On CT-scan, the lesions vary from a small sclerotic focus to areas of lucency whit and whithout sclerotic margins

Bone scan shows intense focal increase of radionuclide in single rib

Well-defined lesion in rib shows bright yellow central region surrounded by pale tan border. Dark red zone within lesion represents entrapped marrow

Histollogically, they are relatively large, sheet-like core of histiocytes, having a pale, foamy to granular cytoplasm and small, round to oval hyperchromatic nuclei, admixed with small fascicles of bland-appearing spindle cells

One case with chest pain

Open biopsy

Blanco et al. [24]

n.1

History of minor trauma from an automobile accident

No hyperlipidemia mentioned

The CT scan negative. Bone scan shows increased radionuclide uptake in one or more ribs and in the scapula

The external surface appears pink and focally hemorrhagic. On sectioning, the bone showed a tan yellow area

Histologically, storiform patterns of spindle cells intermixed with lipid-laden histiocytes and giant cells are present

Asymptomatic

Open biopsy

Chon et al. [25]

n.1

No history of hyperlipidemia or trauma

On CT-scan, a 4-cm mass on fourth rib appears

Macroscopically, very suspicious for osteochondroma

Histologically, appears a well-demarcated medullary lesion consisting of benign histiocytes and fibrous tissue

Chest pain and mucocutaneous lesions

Thoracoscopic rib resection