Cavernous hemangioma of the rib diagnosed preoperatively by percutaneous needle biopsy

A 74-year-old man presented to our hospital with persistent low-grade back pain that had continued for 6 months. An expansile tumor containing delicate bony trabeculae was found in the posterior portion of the left fifth rib. Preoperative examination of a percutaneous needle biopsy specimen suggested a diagnosis of hemangioma; postoperative pathology examination of the resected tumor confirmed this diagnosis. We emphasize the value of preoperative needle biopsy in determining the most suitable treatment for these rib tumors.