Metastatic osteosarcoma

Case contributed by Stefan Tigges
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Patient with known osteosarcoma metastases presents for follow-up CT chest.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female
ct

Expansile lesion right posterior fifth rib producing osteoid matrix with invasion adjacent spinal canal displacing the spinal cord to the left. Azygous vein thrombus likely represents tumour extension via draining intercostal veins. The right atrial mass likely represents a metastasis.

x-ray

Chest X-ray obtained 6 months prior to CT chest shows the right fifth rib metastasis.

x-ray

Two views of the right distal femur obtained 2 years prior to the CT chest show a lesion within the distal femoral diaphysis producing an osteoid matrix and a periosteal reaction. This was the patient's known osteosarcoma.

Case Discussion

The most common cardiac mass is thrombus, but in this case, in a patient with known osteosarcoma metastatic to the right fifth rib, the azygous vein filling defect likely represents tumour thrombus, resulting from haematogenous spread from intercostal veins draining the metastasis. The right atrial mass likely represents further haematogenous spread via the superior vena cava.

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