Retiform hemangioendothelioma (RH) is a rare intermediate (locally aggressive) vascular tumor that mostly affects the dermis of the trunk and limbs, but has never been reported in the inferior turbinate. A 10-year-old Chinese boy presented with recurrent epistaxis in his left nasal cavity and anemia for more than 2 years. Radiographic and electronic video laryngoscopic images showed an expansile mass in the left inferior turbinate. Endoscopic surgery and electrocautery were performed to resect the tumor beyond the macroscopic border. Histopathologically, the tissues were infiltrated by hyperplastic blood vessels arranged in a retiform pattern, and endothelial cells proliferate significantly in some areas. Immunohistochemistry showed a positive result for CD31, CD34, Fli-1, and ERG. No epistaxis, tumor recurrence, or metastasis was found on reexamination over 18 months after surgery.
Keywords: endoscopic surgery; epistaxis; retiform hemangioendothelioma; turbinates; vascular neoplasms.