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Giant cell tumor of bone is rarely seen in the rib, where it may present as a mediastinal mass. The diagnosis of giant cell tumor of bone is generally straightforward by fine-needle aspiration or needle core biopsy, but sampling problems may lead to confusion with other neoplasms or inflammatory processes. Here, we report a case of giant cell tumor of rib presenting as a mediastinal mass in a 36-yearold man. Because of inadequate sampling and inaccurate clinical information, the tumor was initially mistaken for thymoma. When the mass failed to respond to conventional chemotherapy, additional tissue was obtained and a giant cell tumor was diagnosed. Consequently, definitive therapy was delayed. The case illustrates an important diagnostic pitfall in the biopsy of mediastinal masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant cell pneumonia secondary to human parainfluenza virus 3 has been reported only rarely in immunocompromised hosts. The few cases documented after bone marrow transplant have resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. To our knowledge, this entity has not been described following umbilical cord blood transplant. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, a rare condition that has been reported with increasing frequency in association with immunocompromise and infections, has not been documented in the setting of either umbilical cord blood transplant or human parainfluenza viral infection. We report what we believe is the first documented case of giant cell pneumonia caused by human parainfluenza virus 3 in an umbilical cord blood transplant recipient. To our knowledge, a unique associated feature of this case, a pulmonary alveolar proteinosis--like reaction, has not been reported previously in association with human parainfluenza virus pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]