Periocular intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia: A retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is a rare proliferation of endothelial cells with uncertain etiology related to thrombus formation. Diagnosis is usually confirmed histopathologically. This condition has been previously described in the periocular region but not in the conjunctiva.

Methods: It is a retrospective case series in which we evaluated seven patients with histopathologically confirmed IPEH cases. Data regarding the demographics, clinical presentation, radiological description, histopathological features including any IHC staining, suspected underlying vascular etiology, management options, and follow up outcome were collected.

Results: A total of seven cases of histologically confirmed IPEH were included. Five out of seven patients were male (71.4%). The age range was between 6 and 69 years with a median age of 36 years. Three cases involved the eyelid (42.8%) and another three were found in the conjunctiva (42.8%). Pre-existing underlying vascular lesions were observed in all patients, five malformations (mostly lymphatic-venous) and two conjunctival hemorrhagic lymphangiectasis. All cases were treated with excisional biopsy with no signs of recurrence within an average of 7 months follow up.

Conclusions: Periocular IPEH is a rare tumor that is likely to coexist with underlying vascular lesions and thrombus formation. We are reporting its existence in the conjunctiva for the first time. Therefore, pathologists should be aware of the histopathological spectrum of this lesion.

Keywords: Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia; lymphangiectasis; lymphatic venous malformation; ocular adnexa; orbit; periorbital; vascular malformation.