Current Thoracic Surgery

Elastofibroma is an uncommon benign soft-tissue lesion that most frequently arises in the subscapular region of elderly patients. It predominantly affects females, and occurrences outside the periscapular region are exceedingly rare and may pose a diagnostic challenge. A 59-year-old man presented with a progressively enlarging, palpable, and painful mass in the presternal region. Physical examination revealed a firm, fixed lesion beneath a previous sternotomy scar. Ultrasonography demonstrated a vascularized soft-tissue mass, while thoracic computed tomography showed a solid lesion adjacent to the sternum. Because malignancy could not be ruled out, complete surgical excision was performed. Histopathological evaluation established the diagnosis of elastofibroma. The postoperative course was uneventful, and no recurrence was detected during follow-up. Presternal elastofibroma is an exceptionally rare entity. In the present case, chronic mechanical irritation related to a malpositioned sternal wire may have contributed to lesion development, highlighting the importance of considering elastofibroma in the differential diagnosis of unusual anterior chest wall masses.