Angioleiomyoma of soft tissue: clinicopathology, immunohistochemistry, and MRI findings

Abstract

<h3>Aim</h3> To reappraise epidemiological and histological features, assess oestrogen and progesterone receptor expression and describe MRI findings of angioleiomyomas. <h3>Method</h3> 62 records of soft tissue angioleiomyoma were retrieved from pathology department records dating to the period 2000–2011 including brief clinical notes, macroscopic description, and the microscopic slides. All cases were stained for oestrogen and progesterone receptors. MRI studies of pathologically proven angioleiomyoma are to be demonstrated. <h3>Results</h3> The sample had median age of 51.5 and slight preponderance of females with a ratio of 1.13:1 to males. Fifty-two cases were solid subtype and more common in females. Out of 10 cavernous and venous subtypes, 7 were males. Fifty-two cases (83.8%) were in the lower extremities and <2cm in diameter. Between 5% and 30% of smooth muscle cells in 20 females and 17 males reacted positively with progesterone receptors although only 5% of cells in two records showed weak positivity with oestrogen receptors. MRI findings will ensue. <h3>Discussion</h3> Angioleiomyoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of tumours occurring in lower extremities of middle-age patients.¹,² Weak positivity for progesterone receptors may suggest its influence in development of angioleiomyomas.³ MRI technique can contribute to more accurate diagnosis of angioleio-myomas.⁴