Spinal epithelioid hemangioendothelioma with epithelioid angiosarcomatous areas

Skeletal Radiol. 2005 Nov;34(11):745-9. doi: 10.1007/s00256-005-0911-1. Epub 2005 May 5.

Abstract

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a distinctive vascular tumor rarely involving bones. We report a case of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma in the cervical spine with angiosarcomatous areas. A 50-year-old female presented with dizziness while walking. A mixed sclerotic and osteolytic or destructive lesion was radiographically disclosed in her upper cervical vertebrae. Histologically, a laminectomy specimen exhibited areas of ordinary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma together with foci of more atypical epithelioid cell proliferation, closely resembling epithelioid angiosarcoma. This phenomenon has been exceptionally described in cases with skeletal lesions, which are typically of low-grade malignancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / diagnosis*
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / secondary
  • Hemangiosarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / secondary
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary