- Volume - Number
- Published: April 27, 2026
SELSTOC: a new entity to bear in mind – case report
Clara Picão de Carvalho 1, Ema Freitas 1, Jessica Sousa 2, Sílvia Bacalhau 2, Helena Neves 2, Hugo de Castro Faria 2
1 Serviço de Pediatria, Unidade Local de Saúde Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal; 2 Serviço de Pediatria, Unidade Local de Saúde São José, Hospital Dona Estefânia, Lisbon, Portugal
Clara Picão de Carvalho, Ema Freitas, Jessica Sousa, Sílvia Bacalhau, Helena Neves, Hugo de Castro Faria
La información completa de afiliaciones y autor de correspondencia está disponible en la versión original en PDF.
*Correspondence: Clara Picão de Carvalho, Email not available
Abstract
Introduction: SELSTOC (self-limiting sternal tumor of childhood) is a rapidly growing, self-limiting sternal/parasternal lesion of unknown etiology, first described in 2010. It has a median age of 16 months. It may present with local inflammation, but there is no systemic involvement. Mildly elevated inflammatory markers may be observed. Ultrasound shows a well-defined, non-infiltrative, dumbbell-shaped subcutaneous lesion. Additional investigations are unnecessary and conservative management is recommended. Case report: we report three cases (2023 – 2024) of healthy infants (aged seven, 13, and 27 months) with sudden sternal/parasternal swelling, with no trauma or fever. One had localized pain. Two showed mildly elevated inflammatory markers. Ultrasound imaging revealed well-defined, hypoechoic, dumbbell-shaped subcutaneous lesions in every case. MRI (two cases) confirmed these findings. All received antibiotics due to diagnostic uncertainty, with complete resolution within six months. Discussion: the clinical presentation and favorable outcome support the diagnosis of SELSTOC. It is important to recognize this condition and choose conservative management with ultrasound monitoring, avoiding unnecessary medications and additional examinations.
