Vascular Tumors in Infants: Case Report and Review of Clinical, Histopathologic, and Immunohistochemical Characteristics of Infantile Hemangioma, Pyogenic Granuloma, Noninvoluting Congenital Hemangioma, Tufted Angioma, and Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma

Abstract

Vascular tumors in infants present a diagnostic and treatment dilemma for both clinicians and pathologists. Infantile hemangioma, the most common vascular tumor in infants, can be confused for other less common vascular tumors in infants. Correct and timely diagnosis is important, as some vascular tumors can be associated with life-threatening coagulopathy. We present the cases of 5 vascular tumors that have clinical and histologic overlap: infantile hemangioma, pyogenic granuloma, noninvoluting congenital hemangioma, tufted angioma, and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma. Typical clinical and histopathologic features of each lesion are summarized. We review the utility and characteristic immunohistochemistry including CD31, CD34, GLUT-1, D2-40, LYVE-1, Prox-1, and WT-1. Collaboration between the clinician and the dermatopathologist correlating the clinical history and histopathologic features can lead to the correct diagnosis, whereas the utility of immunohistochemistry remains in question.