A rare case of 'histiocytoid haemangioma' of the hand

Abstract

Histiocytoid haemangioma has been identified by Rosai in 1979 as a group of vascular tumour-like lesions. This lesion can occur in a wide variety of sites. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. We present the case of a 35-year-old man with a swelling in the thenar region of his right hand. Preoperative X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angio-computed tomography (angio-CT) demonstrated a lesion invading the radial digital artery to the index finger without any bone erosion. It was excised 'en bloc' with the artery itself. The radial digital nerve to the index finger and the main digital artery to the thumb were preserved. No local recurrence was observed at the 3-year follow-up. Histiocytoid haemangioma of the hand is a rare disease, and patients should undergo early surgical treatment to achieve complete excision of the lesion without any functional deficit.

Keywords: Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia; Hand tumour; Histiocytoid haemangioma; Tumour-like lesion.