Hemangiopericytoma. Report of a case and comprehensive review of the literature

Endoscopic Excision of Sino Nasal Hemangiopericytoma

Hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are rare vascular tumours originating from extra capillary cells called Zimmermann's pericytes. Only 5% of these lesions occur in the Sino nasal cavity. Sino nasal HPCs have a benign course with a high recurrence rate ranging from 9.5 to 50%. A radical surgical resection is considered the gold standard treatment either via external approach (lateral rhinotomy or Caldwell-Luc) or endoscopic approach. Three cases of Sino nasal hemangiopericytomas were treated at our institute. All these cases were operated via endoscopic approach. We are reporting their diagnostic work-up and the therapeutic management as case series. We also discuss epidemiological, clinical, morpho-pathological and radiological characteristics of this tumoral pathology. A treatment plan is also elucidated which may help to develop a long term treatment protocol for these lesions.

Hemangiopericytoma of the Nasal Cavity: A Review of 15 Cases over a 40-Year Period

Hemangiopericytomas are rare tumors of vascular origin most commonly found in the extremities or retroperitoneal area. When they originate from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, they tend to be less aggressive and generally do not metastasize. The term “hemangiopericytoma-like lesion” has been coined for sinonasal hemangiopericytomas that display more benign histologic and growth characteristics than do those located elsewhere. Fifteen cases of hemangiopericytoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were reviewed over the period 1951 to 1990; included are follow-up data on cases reported earlier from this institution. The clinical course, management, and outcome was evaluated and correlated with the histologic characteristics of the tumors. The recurrence rate in our series was 13.3%; the mean follow-up was 11 years. No patients died of their disease or had evidence of metastatic disease. This clinicopathologic review suggests that sinonasal hemangiopericytomas should not be classified as “hemangiopericytoma-like” lesions; rather, they should be expected to have significant local recurrence rates with low rates of distant metastasis and mortality. Long-term follow-up is essential as there can be local recurrence after many years.

Recent Experience in the Management of Meningeal Hemangiopericytomas

Although the histogenesis of meningeal hemangiopericytomas (HMP) remains controversial, both biological and clinical evidence seems to identify these neoplasms as a separate entity with respect to meningiomas. In order to assess the current prognosis of HMP we reviewed our personal experience limited to the last decade (1986-1995): during this period 7 patients (4M, 3F) were treated by surgery alone or surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy. In spite of meticulous attempts at radical resection, the tumors recurred in all but two cases with a mean interval of 85 months, and a total of 18 operations were performed (2.57/patient; range 1-4). Massive intratumoral hemorrhage determined acute deterioration and required emergency surgery in two cases while in one patient diffuse visceral metastases were discovered at autopsy. Five patients are still alive at follow-up but only 2 of them are in good neurological conditions and without evidence of disease. These results are similar to those reported in other series. In view of our results we conclude that intracranial hemangiopericytomas still have a dismal prognosis. Advances in neuroimaging, neuroanesthesia, microneurosurgery and adjuvant therapy do not seem to have significantly affected the recurrence rate, quality of life and mortality.

Large Haemangiopericytoma of the Posterior Cervical Space

We report a case of a 39-year old woman who upon developing a rapidly enlarging posterior cervical space tumour, underwent incisional biopsy prior to diagnostic imaging that resulted in nearly catastrophic haemorrhage.

Subsequently, MR imaging showed evidence of marked hypervascularity, prompting diagnostic angiography and endovascular microembolization prior to surgical resection.

The tumour turned out to be a large haemangiopericytoma arising from the paravertebral musculature.

The case is instructive by highlighting the need for considering rare locations of hypervascular tumours in the head and neck region before attempting biopsy, which can be predicted by cross-sectional imaging studies, and the benefits of pre-operative devascularization with modern superselective microembolisation techniques.

Hypervascular Soft Tissue Tumor of the Skull Suspicious for Hemangiopericytoma

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare mesenchymal tumor that is predominantly found in the pelvis, retroperitoneum, and lower extremities, occasionally occurring in the larynx, spleen, bones of the thorax, or the meninges. A case is presented of a hypervascular soft tissue mass of the skull suggesting a diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma. Imaging modalities including computed tomography and sonography were used to help characterize this soft tissue lesion of the skull to aid in the proper course of diagnosis and treatment. The characteristics of hemangiopericytoma are described, and note is made that because of the vascular nature of these lesions, surgical intervention is used as a final resort when there are multiple reoccurrences following radiation therapy.

Vascular soft-tissue sarcomas: a prognostic model from a retrospective single-center study

BACKGROUND

Vascular soft-tissue sarcomas are a rare form of sarcoma. Malignant subtypes exhibit a variety of biological behaviors. We describe the clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival outcomes of malignant vascular soft-tissue sarcomas.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study on a cohort of 84 patients diagnosed with vascular tumors by histological examination at the Yonsei University College of Medicine between April 1987 and August 2011. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The angiosarcoma patients had a significantly shorter OS than the patients with other subtypes of sarcomas (59.0 and 142.7 months, respectively; p < 0.001). Upon multivariate analysis of survival in patients who underwent surgical resection, the following independent prognostic factors were identified: primary site (trunk, p = 0.001), age (older than 65 years, p < 0.001), pathology (angiosarcoma, p = 0.006) and R2 resection (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The independent prognostic factors for shorter survival are the trunk as the primary site, malignant angiosarcoma and age (>65 years). Complete excision should be attempted for providing a survival advantage in the patients with localized disease. In addition, bleeding episodes are much more frequent in patients with a poor survival outcome.

A case of hemangiopericytoma of the soft palate with articulate disorder and dysphagia

We report a case of hemangiopericytoma of the soft palate of 60-year-old patient, who noticed a mass of the soft palate and experienced difficulty in speaking. We found a pediculate, hard, elastic mass measuring 38 mm (cross-sectional diameter). Computed tomography (CT) scans and dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed irregularly shaped mass and revealed a heterogeneous internal composition, consistent with vascular tumors. We excised the tumor under general anesthesia. Histopathological diagnosis was based on positive immunoreactivity of CD99 and vimentin and weak, positive staining of CD34. Three and half years following tumor excision, there is no recurrence or metastasis.

Endoscopic Resection of Sinonasal Hemangiopericytoma following Preoperative Embolisation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Objectives. Hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor entity deriving from pericytes. Less than 5% of hemangiopericytoma occur in the nasal cavity and are characterised by a rather benign nature with low tendency of metastasis. However, as the recurrence rate in the literature ranges from 9.5% to 50%—depending on the length of followup—a radical surgical resection is considered as the gold-standard treatment. Only a few years ago, a wide external approach, usually via lateral rhinotomy or Caldwell-Luc, was performed. Endoscopic techniques were regarded as appropriate for small low-vascularised tumors only. Methods. We present the case of a 64-year-old patient with an extended sinonasal hemangiopericytoma, who was successfully treated by an endoscopic controlled endonasal tumor resection after embolisation with Onyx. Further, to support the new treatment option, we review the literature concerning all features of sinonasal hemangiopericytomas and their therapeutical management. Results/Conclusion. Onyx, which has not been described in the context of hemangiopericytoma yet, is a very effective embolic agent for a preoperative embolisation of sinonasal hemangiopericytoma allowing a safe endoscopic surgery.

Usefulness of Choline-PET for the detection of residual hemangiopericytoma in the skull base: comparison with FDG-PET

Background

Choline is a new PET tracer that is useful for the detection of malignant tumor. Choline is a precursor of the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a major phospholipid in the cell membrane of eukaryotic cells. Malignant tumors have an elevated level of phosphatidylcholine in cell membrane. Thus, choline is a marker of tumor malignancy.

Method

The patient was a 51-year-old man with repeated recurrent hemangiopericytoma in the skull base. We performed Choline-PET in this patient after various treatments and compared findings with those of FDG-PET.

Results

Choline accumulated in this tumor, but FDG did not accumulate. We diagnosed this tumor as residual hemangiopericytoma and performed the resection of the residual tumor. FDG-PET is not appropriate for skull base tumor detection because uptake in the brain is very strong.

Conclusion

We emphasize the usefulness of Choline-PET for the detection of residual hemangiopericytoma in the skull base after various treatments, compared with FDG-PET.

Select Neoplasms of the Sinonasal Tract

The sinonasal tract (SNT) includes the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (maxillary, ethmoid, frontal, and sphenoid) and may give rise to a variety of nonneoplastic and neoplastic proliferations, including benign and malignant neoplasms. The benign neoplasms of the SNT include epithelial neoplasms of surface epithelial origin, minor salivary gland origin, and mesenchymal origin. The spectrum of malignant neoplasms of the SNT includes epithelial malignancies, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, malignant salivary gland neoplasms, neuroectodermal neoplasms, neuroendocrine neoplasms, melanocytic neoplasm, and sarcomas. This article concentrates on some of the more common types of benign and malignant neoplasms.

Sinonasal hemangiopericytoma: case report and literature review

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare vascular tumor that can arise in any organ system, but occurs most frequently in skeletal muscle. We present a case of a primary sphenoid sinus HPC unusual for its spontaneous remission after biopsy. There have been approximately 55 cases of sinonasal HPC reported in the literature, representing less than 5% of all lesions. In general, HPC behaves aggressively, demonstrating greater than 50% local recurrence and 10% metastatic disease. Although extended surgical resection is traditionally considered the most effective therapy for all HPC, critical literature review does not support this method of treatment for HPC occurring in the paranasal sinuses and skull base. Long-term follow-up indicates that the majority of sinonasal HPC have a benign clinical course regardless of treatment. As a result, we do not recommend extended resection as the initial therapy for sinonasal HPC. Instead, a period of observation coupled with serial MRI or CT scans should be used to detect tumor progression. These indolent tumors should undergo extended resection only after progression has been confirmed. In addition to the case report, a synopsis of the reviewed literature and a summary of treatment recommendations are also presented.

Hemangiopericytoma of the neck

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is an exceedingly rare tumor of uncertain malignant potential. Approximately 300 cases of HPC have been reported since Stout and Murray described HPCs as "vascular tumors arising from Zimmerman's pericytes" in 1942. After further characterization, the WHO reclassified HPC as a fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumor. Long term follow up is mandatory because the histologic criteria for prediction of biologic behavior are imprecise. There are reports of recurrence and metastasis many years after radical resection. The head and neck incidence is less than 20%, mostly in adults.

We report herein a case of HPC resected from the neck of a 74-year-old woman, who presented in our department with a painless right-sided neck mass. The mass was well circumscribed, mobile and soft during the palpation. The skin over the tumor was intact and normal. Clinical diagnosis at this time was lipoma. A neck computer tomography scan showed a large submucosal mass in the neck, which extended in the muscular sites. The tumor was completely removed by wide surgical resection. During surgery we found a highly vascularised tumor. The histopathologic examination revealed a cellular, highly vascularized tumor. The diagnosis was that of solitary fibrous tumor, cellular variant, with haemangiopericytoma-like features. The patient had normal postoperative course of healing and 24 months later she remains asymptomatic, without signs of recurrence or metastases.

Hemangiopericytomas of the spine: case report and review of the literature

We describe a rare case of a primary intracranial meningeal hemangiopericytoma (HPC) with late metastasis to the cervical spine. A 36-year-old woman had a left occipital lesion that was histopathologically identified as HPC. Fourteen years after resection, the tumor recurred and was treated with radiotherapy. Three years later, CT imaging showed a large mass in the liver consistent with metastatic HPC, and MRI of the cervical spine showed an extensive lesion of the C3 vertebral body. The patient underwent C3 corpectomy with en-bloc tumor removal and follow-up radiation with no local recurrence or other spinal metastasis for the following 4 years. Regardless of the subtype of spinal HPC, complete surgical removal and radiotherapy appear to be treatment of choice.

Intranasal myopericytoma. A tumour with perivascular myoid differentiation: the changing nomenclature for haemangiopericytoma

We present a case report of a patient who developed a sinonasal myopericytoma treated by surgical excision through a lateral rhinotomy. Some aggressive features on pre-operative computed tomography scanning and the complexity of recent changes in the histological nomenclature for these tumours led to consideration of adjuvant therapy. The close histological relationship between myopericytoma, myofibromatosis, solitary myofibroma and infantile haemangiopericytoma is discussed. This group of lesions constitute a single morphological spectrum with differentiation towards perivascular myoid cells (pericytes). Currently myopericytoma is the most appropriate and accepted term embracing all these entities. A review of the literature has been reassuring in identifying these tumours as benign but with a reasonably high rate of local recurrence (17 per cent). The treatment of choice is surgical excision with further excisions for local recurrence.

A metastatic haemangiopericytoma of the floor of the mouth

A case of metastatic haemangiopericytoma in the floor of the mouth is described. Haemangiopericytoma is a relatively rare slow-growing vascular tumour with variable malignant potential. This tumour has been identified in almost every region of the body, but its occurrence in the oral cavity has been rarely reported. The rate of regional and distant metastasis of the tumour is low. This case, presented 12 years after initial surgery suggested the need for careful long-term follow-ups of patients with haemangiopericytoma.

[Sinonasal hemangiopericytoma]

Hemangiopericytomas are rare perivascular tumors. The nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are most often involved in the head and neck region. A case of hemangiopericytoma in a 63 year old patient is presented. The initial symptom was recurrent bleeding from the nose. The patient had a history of radiotherapy for a pituitary adenoma 30 years previously. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a polypoid opacification of the ethmoid, sphenoid and basal aspects of the frontal sinus on the right side. Histological diagnosis was obtained from nasal biopsy. Preoperatively, arteriography and tumor embolisation were performed. The tumor was completely excised using a combined endonasal and external approach as an osteoplastic revision of the frontal sinus via bicoronal incision. There was no recurrence at follow-up 1 year later.

Extensive tongue hemangiopericytoma in a child: modified combined modality of treatment to preserve well functioning tongue

Hemangiopericytoma is a rare vascular tumor, usually occurring in adults. The tumor is believed to originate from pericytes, the contractile cells surrounding capillaries. It has predilection for the musculoskeletal system. Clinically, the tumor occurs at any age, with highest incidence between the third and sixth decades and without any sex predilection. Head and neck hemangiopericytoma incidence in all age groups ranges from 9.4 to 28%. In children, head and neck hemangiopericytoma is as frequent as 35%, with the highest frequency (46%) found in infants. We report a case of hemangiopericytoma of the tongue in a 6-year-old child resembling to the infantile/congenital type, which was treated by a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and brachytherapy. This approach has resulted in a normal functioning tongue for the past 5 years.

Sinonasal haemangiopericytoma: a case report

Haemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare vascular tumour that is thought to originate from the vascular pericytes of Zimmerman. HPC may arise in any part of the body, and from 15 to 30% of these tumours are found in the head and neck, with a rare involvement of the sinonasal region The main symptoms of nasal HPC, epistaxis and nasal obstruction, are not typical. The final diagnosis is based on the histopathology and immunochemistry, and whether the tumour is benign or malignant is defined on the basis of the clinical history. HPC located in the sinonasal area is generally benign. We report the case of a young woman with a sinonasal mass histologically proven to be haemangiopericytoma. The patient underwent surgical treatment by means of mid-facial degloving after embolisation of the maxillary artery. After a careful 3-year follow-up, the patient is disease free and healthy.

Delayed manifestation of spinal metastasis: a special feature of hemangiopericytoma

Metastatic hemangiopericytoma to the spine is rare, and operative management of these highly vascularized tumors is challenging. Review of the literature identified only seven previously reported cases. Metastases of hemangiopericytomas to the spine are diagnosed often only after a long delay following resection of the primary tumors. To emphasize the clinical and histopathological features of metastatic hemangiopericytoma to the spine and to review treatment options, a case of a delayed metastatic hemangiopericytoma to the cervicothoracic spine is reported: a 48-year-old woman presented with a large metastatic hemangiopericytoma to the cervicothoracic spine causing left-sided cervicobrachialgias and gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed a large left-sided dumbbell-shaped intraspinal and extraspinal tumor from C6 to T2. The patient underwent two-staged total removal of the cervicothoracic mass with posterior stabilization and subsequent radiotherapy. Histopathological findings revealed a malignant hemangiopericytoma which had identical features to the primary cranial meningeal tumor removed 8 years earlier. The radicular symptoms and the gait ataxia disappeared, postoperatively. One year later, however, new metastases were present. Patients with hemangiopericytoma should be controlled regularly for local recurrence and systemic tumor spread. The best available treatment for delayed metastasis to the spinal column is complete tumor removal followed by postoperative radiotherapy.

Orbital hemangiopericytoma--a case report

A 50-year-old male presented with progressive proptosis in the right eye for 10 years. Decreased visual acuity to hand-motion level was also noted. Orbital computed tomography revealed a large homogenously enhanced mass lesion in the right retrobulbar region with optic nerve compression. The remainder of the ocular examination was normal, except for right mature cataract. The tumor was completely removed through lateral orbitotomy. Histologic findings showed a picture of hemangiopericytoma. One month after cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in the right eye, the patient had restored vision. Through 2 years' follow-up, no more orbital tumor was noted. Orbital hemangiopericytoma may have potentially malignant behavior, and a high local recurrence rate if incompletely excised. Complete, intact removal prevents tumor recurrence and provides a good result.

Ten-year-old boy with hemangiopericytoma and human immunodeficiency virus infection

This report documents the first case of hemangiopericytoma in an HIV-infected child who is most likely a case of vertical transmission of HIV with slow progression to AIDS. We also raise the possibility that there is a causal relationship between HIV and hemangiopericytoma.

Hemangiopericytoma of the head and neck

PURPOSE

To report a series of patients with hemangiopericytoma (HP) of the head and neck, to review pathological features of these tumors, and to discuss management options.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of the medical records at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, was done in order to identify those patients with primary HP of the head and neck, including soft tissue and mucosal sites.

RESULTS

Ten patients with HP of the head and neck were identified. There was an equal sex distribution and an average age of 36 (range 10-65). Seven of the tumors arose from soft tissue sites in the head and neck, and the remaining 3 arose from the mucosa. All patients underwent wide excision of the primary lesion with a local recurrence rate of 40%. Thirty percent of patients developed metastatic lung disease 0 to 8 years after initial diagnosis. Each patient who developed metastatic disease had abundant mitoses on pathological review compared with rare or absent mitoses in the lesions that took a more benign course.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathological appearance of resected HP is predictive of later metastatic potential. Long-term follow-up is necessary in patients even after radical resection because recurrence or metastasis may be delayed by many years.

Hemangiopericytoma in a child: a case report

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare vascular tumour seen infrequently in the paediatric age group. It has an incidence of about 10% in children. The difficulty in assessing the malignant potential of this tumour may cause confusion to the clinician in deciding the proper line of management.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of malignant hemangiopericytoma of the salivary gland: A case report

A 79-yr-old woman presented with a 5-yr history of swelling of the left cheek. The fine-needle aspiration (FNA) smear showed a spindle-cell neoplasm with capillaries and benign endothelial cells. The spindle cells possessed pleomorphic, hyperchromatic elongated nuclei and a moderate amount of ill-defined cytoplasm. They also showed papillary arcades surrounded and encased by relatively small ovoid to short spindle cells. Subsequent surgical excision confirmed the presence of malignant hemangiopericytoma (HP). Immunohistochemical studies on the histologic section using vimentin were strongly positive, consistent with HP. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second published report of FNA cellular features of malignant HP of the salivary gland. Besides delineating the FNA cellular features of HP of the salivary gland, the present case illustrates the value of using immunohistochemical approaches. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:398-401.

Hemangiopericytoma of the head and neck

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS

Hemangiopericytomas are uncommon neoplasms of vascular origin that may arise in the head and neck. Their rare occurrence and variable malignant potential have limited attempts to characterize their clinical behavior. This study reviews the experience in treating hemangiopericytomas of the head and neck at a single institution.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective.

METHODS

The records of 12 patients with hemangiopericytomas of the head and neck presenting between 1979 and 1995 were reviewed. Site of origin included the neck (4), oral cavity (3), parotid (2), orbit (1), maxillary sinus (1) and mandible (1). Five patients had lesions characterized as high or intermediate grade histologically, and six had lesions characterized as low grade.

RESULTS

Nine patients were treated with curative intent; three presented either with pulmonary metastasis (2) or unresectable primaries (1) and were treated with radiation therapy and/or palliative Adriamycin-based chemotherapy. Patients treated with curative intent underwent a variety of surgical resections dictated by tumor location and size. Four patients received postoperative radiation therapy to a median dose of 60 Gy, for positive surgical margins (2), high-grade histology (1) or a recurrent lesion (1). Five-year overall survival in patients treated surgically was 87.5%. A single mortality occurred in a patient with a recurrent high-grade lesion who failed at local, regional, and distant sites. Median follow-up of survivors was 73 months.

CONCLUSION

The clinical behavior of hemangiopericytomas appears to be related to their histological grade. Aggressive local therapy including surgery and radiation therapy appears to be effective in providing tumor control.

Orbital vascular lesions. Role of imaging

Vascular lesions represent an important subgroup of orbital abnormalities; however, there is much controversy regarding their pathophysiology and nomenclature. Attempts at resolution of some of the issues have resulted in changes of names of some of the lesions (e.g., lymphangioma to venolymphatic malformation). Imaging plays an important role in delineation and characterization of these lesions. A radiologist informed about the pathophysiology and attentive to the internal architecture of the lesions shown on images, particularly MR images, often can predict the histologic diagnosis. Imaging information helps clarify some of the controversies surrounding these lesions.

Myofibromatosis in adults, glomangiopericytoma, and myopericytoma: a spectrum of tumors showing perivascular myoid differentiation

The clinicopathologic features of 24 tumors showing perivascular myoid differentiation are described. These included tumors with histologic features of "infantile-type" myofibromatosis occurring in adult patients (8 cases), tumors with composite features of "hemangiopericytoma" and glomus tumor (9 cases), and tumors with a distinctive concentric perivascular proliferation of spindle cells (7 cases). Evidence of morphologic overlap among these groups suggests they are closely related neoplasms that form a single spectrum. Age of patients with lesions resembling infantile-type myofibromatosis ranged from 23 to 67 years (median, 37 years). Clinicopathologic manifestations of this disease included multicentricity (4 cases), local recurrence (3 cases), persistence of congenital lesions into adulthood (4 cases), and tumors that were multifocal within the confines of one anatomic region (7 cases). Histologically, all cases showed a biphasic pattern that consisted of fascicles of spindle cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm that resembled smooth muscle, in addition to a population of more primitive spindled cells associated with a hemangiopericytomalike vascular pattern. Six cases showed reversal of the typical zonation seen in pediatric cases in that the primitive component surrounded the more mature fascicular areas. Also described are nine tumors with features that are intermediate between glomus tumor and hemangiopericytoma, which we have designated glomangiopericytoma. These tumors are characterized by prominent branching vessels lined by a single row of endothelial cells surrounded by epithelioid cells with a glomoid appearance. In other areas, the tumors showed typical hemangiopericytomatous foci similar to those in the myofibromatosis cases. The principal points of distinction were a lack of myoid nodules and an absence of small primitive cells with basophilic cytoplasm. Ages of these patients ranged from 17 to 78 years (median, 35 years). All tumors were located in the subcutaneous tissue and the superficial soft tissue of the extremities. Recurrence developed in one of six patients with follow-up information. The recurrent tumor had features of angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Finally, we describe a subset of tumors characterized by concentric periluminal proliferation of bland, round to ovoid cells, which we have designated as myopericytoma. Patient age ranged from 10 to 66 years (median, 40 years). All were located in subcutaneous and superficial soft tissue of distal extremities. One patient had two recurrences in 3 years after initial excision. Our study suggests that these three lesional groups comprise a histologic continuum of tumors that share clinical similarities and that, perhaps, are designated more appropriately as perivascular myomas. The relationship of this family of tumors to so-called hemangiopericytoma is discussed.

Orbital hemangiopericytoma: clinical and morphologic features

PURPOSE

To report the clinical and histopathologic features of orbital hemangiopericytoma.

METHOD

We review the clinical and histopathologic features in seven patients.

RESULTS

Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging defined the location and extent of the tumor in each patient but did not disclose pathognomonic features for the specific diagnosis of hemangiopericytoma. The predominating histopathologic feature of each tumor was a mixed pattern of ovoid cells and sinusoidal space formations. Five patients showed mild to severe cellular atypia; three had obvious pleomorphism and increased number of abnormal mitotic figures. Tumor cells disclosed cytoplasmic reactivity for vimentin but in five cases were negative for other immunologic markers. Six patients received surgical treatment with an attempt for total removal of the tumor; one had biopsy and radiation therapy. In two patients, radiation therapy was given in addition to tumor removal with orbital exenterations. Three patients died with recurrent and metastatic disease, and four patients are alive without tumor for a follow-up period ranging from 3 to 9 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Orbital hemangiopericytoma may behave as a malignant tumor, leading to local recurrence or metastasis, or both. Clinical and histopathologic findings should be considered jointly to evaluate the clinical course; histopathologic findings alone are not sufficient to predict the biologic behavior of this tumor.

Haemangiopericytoma: current status, diagnosis and management

Haemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare tumour, characterized by unidentifiable light microscopic features. Despite first being described over 50 years ago, nothing much was known about this tumour until the early 1980s, when ultrastructural studies and tumour markers made it possible to differentiate it from other mesenchymal tumours. Advancements in radiology and the emergence of MRI technology helped surgeons in better planning. Pre-operative vascular embolization helped to reduce the menace of operative haemorrhage. Improvements in localization and delivery of radiotherapy, coupled with early diagnosis, has tremendously improved the treatment outcome of haemangiopericytoma.

Preoperative chemotherapy for congenital hemangiopericytoma and a review of the literature

PURPOSE

Malignant hemangiopericytoma is an uncommon tumor in the pediatric age group. A case of congenital hemangiopericytoma is presented with a review of the literature.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 2-month-old boy presented at birth with an enlarging posterior neck mass. Subsequent histopathologic studies showed findings consistent with hemangiopericytoma. Imaging studies demonstrated an extensive, infiltrative, vascular lesion not readily amenable to surgical resection. A pulmonary metastatic lesion was present.

RESULTS

Combined treatment using vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide given preoperatively resulted in a significant decrease in size of the primary tumor, allowing for resection without complication and resolution of the metastatic lesion.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative chemotherapy may have a significant role in the management of infants with malignant hemangiopericytoma.

Primary intrathoracic extrapulmonary hemangiopericytoma. CT and MR findings

We report the imaging features of a rare case of primary intrathoracic extrapulmonary hemangiopericytoma. Radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography, were used to evaluate this rapidly growing extrapleural tumor originating from the chest wall. The studies demonstrated smooth margins, hypervascularity, and intermediate signal on T1-weighted images and increased signal on T2-weighted images.

Hemangiopericytoma: a report of two cases arising on the lip

Hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumour of pericytes; represents 1% of all vasoformative tumours and 15-25% of those which occur in the head and neck. We present two cases of hemangiopericytoma occurring on the lower lip and report the use of cryosurgery to treat the most recent case.

Resection of primary pulmonary hemangiopericytoma: a report of two cases

We report herein the cases of two patients who underwent resection of a primary pulmonary hemangiopericytoma. The first patient was a 58-year-old man found to have a mass-like shadow of about 5 cm in diameter in the right hilum by a routine chest X-ray. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a probable mediastinal tumor, and surgery was performed. Postoperative pathological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary hemangiopericytoma. The second patient was a 21-year-old woman found to have a mass-like shadow of about 2 cm in diameter in the left middle lung field. As a preoperative diagnosis could not be made, exploratory surgery was performed and the left S6 segment was excised. A definitive diagnosis of pulmonary hemangiopericytoma was established postoperatively by pathological examination. Primary pulmonary hemangiopericytoma is an extremely rare type of tumor, with only 36 cases having been reported in the Japanese literature to date, including out 2 cases. A discussion following the case reports examines the sex, age, initial manifestations, sites, and methods of surgery employed in these 36 cases.

Giant retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma

Hemangiopericytomas are rare vascular tumours that are derived from pericytes. Retroperitoneal hemangiopericytomas are usually bulky but clinically silent when diagnosed because of their slow rate of growth. A 49-year-old man, who presented with only vague symptoms of abdominal fullness for several months, was found on computed tomography to have a huge well-defined mass with areas of low attenuation and well-enhanced septa. The tumour was successfully resected and was confirmed to be a malignant retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma. It measured 30 cm in the greatest dimension. We are prompted to present this case as it is believed to be the largest tumour reported to date.

Recurrent hemangiopericytoma of the liver: report of a case

We present herein the case of a 63-year-old man with a locally recurrent hemangiopericytoma in the hepatic hilum. The patient presented to our hospital for the investigation of elevated transaminases 6 years after undergoing resection of a hemangiopericytoma followed by chemotherapy at another hospital. Various imaging techniques demonstrated a well-circumscribed, hypervascular tumor with central necrosis in the hepatic hilum. Establishing a preoperative diagnosis would have been difficult without the information that he had previously had a hemangiopericytoma of the abdominal cavity. An extended right hepatic lobectomy was performed and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of recurrent hemangiopericytoma. Although hemangiopericytoma is a rare tumor, the clinical presentation and radiologic features of this case were fairly typical.