Intraosseous 'haemangioma' of the zygoma: more appropriately termed a venous malformation

Abstract

Vascular anomalies often affect the soft tissues and primary intraosseous lesions are uncommon, with only 33 cases reported in the zygoma. Intraosseous vascular anomalies of the zygoma have traditionally been designated 'haemangiomas' with little attempt to clarify the specific type of the lesion. Recently, specific immunohistochemical markers such as erythrocyte type glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT-1) have been described to differentiate haemangiomas and vascular malformations. The authors report a case of intraosseous venous malformation of the zygoma and provide supporting evidence to justify the nomenclature. The literature on zygomatic 'haemangiomas' is critically reviewed and the basis for their proper designation as venous malformations highlighted.