BACKGROUND: Erosion of a pacer lead into the chest wall may result in pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade. Free rupture into the pleura or mediastinum can result in hypotension and cardiac arrest. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a unique case of a right ventricular pacer lead which eroded through the right ventricle into the left chest wall and penetrated a rib. The patient presented with a tender chest wall mass without pericardial or pleural effusion. The segment of rib which the pacing lead had penetrated was removed. CONCLUSIONS: The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged 1 week after the operation. This case adds to the current literature the justification of removal of temporary and non-functional pacing leads.
