Plasmacytoma presenting as missing rib on chest film: a case report and review of the literature.

A 33-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) with chief complaint of chest pain, persisting for approximately one year. Chest X-ray revealed he was missing the right posterior fifth rib. Physical examination showed no surgical scars, and he reported no history of chest trauma. A CT of his chest demonstrated a mass involving the posterior aspect of the right fifth rib, and subsequent biopsy revealed plasma cells. Laboratory results indicated the tumor was a solitary plasmacytoma of the rib. He was referred to oncology and treated with radiation therapy. This case report illustrates an unusual presentation of a solitary plasmacytoma of the rib.