Intramuscular spindle cell hemangioendothelioma

Low-Flow Vascular Malformation Pitfalls: From Clinical Examination to Practical Imaging Evaluation--Part 2, Venous Malformation Mimickers

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to review the unusual clinical and radiographic features of venous malformations that can give rise to diagnostic confusion. Entities that can have overlapping clinical and imaging features with venous malformations are also reviewed.

CONCLUSION

Venous malformations are congenital endothelial malformations secondary to errors in vascular morphogenesis and are usually diagnosed in the first 2 decades of life. The clinical and imaging features of venous malformations often overlap those of other pathologic entities, creating diagnostic confusion. Furthermore, the clinical presentation and imaging appearance of venous malformations can vary, making the diagnosis challenging. Thorough knowledge of the various clinical and imaging features not only of venous malformations but also of the major potential mimic lesions is crucial for clinicians caring for patients with these lesions.

Hemangioendothelioma

Hemangioendothelioma is the term used to name those vascular neoplasms that show a borderline biological behavior, intermediate between entirely benign hemangiomas and highly malignant angiosarcomas. Although originally spindle cell hemangioendothelioma was proposed as a specific clinicopathologic variant of hemangioendothelioma, currently, it is considered as an entirely benign lesion, and thus, the name spindle cell hemangioma seems to be the most accurate for this lesion. Authentic hemangioendotheliomas involving the skin and soft tissues include papillary intralymphatic angioendothelioma (also known as Dabska tumor), retiform hemangioendothelioma, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, pseudomyogenic hemangioendothelioma (also known as epithelioid sarcoma-like hemangioendothelioma), and composite hemangioendothelioma. Each of these neoplasms exhibit characteristic histopathologic features. The most characteristic finding of papillary intralymphatic hemangioendothelioma consists of papillary tufts, with a central hyaline core lined by hobnail-like endothelial cells protruding into the lumina. Retiform hemangioendothelioma is an infiltrative neoplasm composed of elongated arborizing vessels, arranged in an anastomosing pattern that resembles that of the rete testis, and lined by a single layer of hobnail-like endothelial cells that protrude within the narrow lumina. Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma is composed of several solid poorly circumscribed nodules, and each nodule is composed of a mixture of small capillaries and solid lobules of endothelial cells arranged in a glomeruloid pattern. A frequent finding consists of the presence of areas of lymphangiomatosis adjacent to the solid nodules. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is composed of cords, strands, and solid aggregates of round, oval, and polygonal cells, with abundant pale eosinophilic cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei, and inconspicuous nucleoli, embedded in a fibromyxoid or sclerotic stroma. Many neoplastic cells exhibit prominent cytoplasmic vacuolization as an expression of primitive vascular differentiation. Pseudomyogenic hemangioendothelioma is a poorly circumscribed, fascicular lesion with infiltrative borders composed of round or oval neoplastic cells, with vesicular nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli, and ample homogeneous eosinophilic cytoplasm, giving them a rhabdomyoblastic appearance. Finally, composite hemangioendothelioma is the term used to name locally aggressive vascular neoplasms of low-grade malignancy showing varying combinations of benign, low-grade malignant, and high-grade malignant vascular components. From the immunohistochemical point of view, proliferating cells of all hemangioendotheliomas express a lymphatic endothelial cell immunophenotype. Most hemangioendotheliomas are low-grade vascular neoplasms, with a tendency to recur locally and a low metastatic potential, mostly to regional lymph nodes. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, especially large lesions and those located in deep soft tissues, seems to have a more aggressive biological behavior.

Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma of the temporal muscle resected with zygomatic osteotomy: a case report of an unusual intramuscular lesion mimicking sarcoma

Spindle cell hemangioendothelioma (SCH) was originally described by Weiss and Enzinger (1986) as a low-grade angiosarcoma resembling both cavernous hemangioma and Kaposi's sarcoma. Recent studies suggest that SCH is a benign neoplasm or reactive lesion accompanying a congenital or acquired vascular malformation. Most SCHs present as one or more nodules affecting the dermis or subcutis of the distal extremities. Few reports describe SCH of the head and neck region; even fewer note intramuscular SCH. Here, we describe a case of SCH involving the temporal muscle mimicking soft tissue sarcoma, who had a successful surgical treatment with a coronal approach and zygomatic osteotomy.

[Spindle-cell hemangioendothelioma of the pharynx managed by radiotherapy]

Spindle cells hemangioendotheloma generally reaches the extremities. Only one oropharyngeal localisation was described in the literature. We report the observation of a 41 years old patient who was operated twice for this localization. The patient presented in 2005 with a third recurrence with important local extension contraindicating surgical treatment. An external radiotherapy was carried out with a good local control of the lesion. In the light of this observation we will discuss physiopathology of this rare lesion and the various therapeutic options.

Spindle-cell Hemangioendothelioma of the Posterior Pharyngeal Wall

Spindle-cell hemangioendothelioma is an uncommon vascular lesion that exhibits a predilection for the extremities. Very few reports have been published describing this lesion in the head and neck, and to the best of our knowledge, its occurrence in the oropharynx has not been previously reported. In addition to reporting an unusual site of this lesion, our rationale for publishing this case is to comment on the diagnostic dilemma that arose in view of an unclear clinicohistopathologic pattern and to discuss this lesion's similarity to other aggressive tumors.

[Intramuscular angioma in the hand. A case report]

Intramuscular angiomas are rare vascular tumors with locally aggressive growth between the fibers of muscle. A malignant aspect poses a danger for the function of the hand. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with a painless tumor in the thenar. Physical examination showed a 2 x 3 x 5 cm fixed and engorged swelling. Perfusion and sensibility were intact. The flexion and opposition of the thumb were reduced. CAT showed a tumor of the thenar with a solid structure with signal enhancement after administration of contrast medium. Histologic examination after local resection showed an intramuscular angioma. Intramuscular angiomas have a malignant aspect because of the rapid and infiltrative growth followed by functional impairment, pain, and deformity. A high rate of recurrence is described. Thus, radical excision is indicated.

Hemangiomas of the fingers: MR imaging evaluation

PURPOSE

To report the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of finger hemangiomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen patients clinically suspected of having hemangioma of the finger underwent 1.5-T MR imaging with a customized local gradient coil. The location, size, margins, signal intensity, and enhancement patterns of the lesions were noted. In accordance with the literature on MR imaging of deep hemangiomas, the authors' findings could be divided into those with typical features-that is, high signal intensity at T1- and T2-weighted imaging, lobulated appearance, strong enhancement, and heterogeneous pattern with flow void artifacts-and those with atypical features. The reference standard was surgery (n = 12) or clinical outcome (n = 4).

RESULTS

One posttraumatic hematoma was excluded. Most lesions were in the fingertip (n = 10), with involvement of the nail bed and/or the pulp (n = 5). Hemangiomas were classified as typical in ten cases and atypical in five. The mean size of typical lesions was larger than that of atypical lesions. The unique imaging features of atypical hemangiomas included a masslike appearance, which was either homogeneous with diffuse enhancement-suggestive of hypervascularity (n = 2)-or heterogeneous with poor enhancement (n = 3).

CONCLUSION

MR imaging characteristics of finger hemangiomas can be classified as typical or atypical. Knowledge of both patterns can be helpful in the distinction of soft-tissue abnormalities at this location.