Fine-needle aspiration cytology of mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall

We report on an uncommon entity, the so-called 'chest wall chondromatous hamartoma' or 'mesenchymal hamartoma of the chest wall' (MHCW), diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in a 6-mo-old boy. Radiologic features were those of an aggressive lesion with rib expansion and destruction, that contrasted with aspirate smears showing bland cartilage and spindled mesenchymal elements. The clinicoradiographic features together with the FNA yield of mixed cellular elements aided in the correct diagnosis of MHCW.