Extrathoracic neurilemoma of the lateral chest wall mimicking a subcutaneous tumor: report of a case

Neurilemomas of the chest wall are usually solitary lesions which bulge toward the pleural cavity in the posterior mediastinum. We report a rare case of neurilemoma growing outside the thorax from the intercostal nerve. A 33-year-old man was admitted with a chest wall bulging mass. His past history was unremarkable. Computed tomography showed a well-circumscribed mass toward the extrathorax adjacent to the ninth intercostal space. Surgical resection was performed for a firm diagnosis and treatment. This tumor was easily dissected from the surrounding tissues without passing into the pleural cavity by percutaneous approach, and then completely resected. He has been followed-up for 16 months without recurrence.