Malignant highly vascularized tumors such as hemangiopericytomas (HPC) may mimic a benign arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is sometimes still referred to as "angioma". We describe the clinical and radiological findings of a facial hemangiopericytoma in comparison to an AVM in order to avoid misdiagnosis between these two pathologies since evolution and therapeutic management are completely different. Because hemangiopericytomas in children show malignant behavior requiring aggressive management, early and accurate diagnosis is of significant importance for the clinical outcome.
Copyright 2004 Masson, Paris