Angiomyoma vs solitary fibrous tumour – A histopathological dilemma

Abstract

Benign neoplasms associated with blood vessels make up a wide spectrum of lesions ranging from reactive lesions to high grade malignant tumours in the oral cavity. Angioleiomyoma is one such uncommon benign soft tissue tumor rarely observed in oral tissues. Microscopically characterized by proliferation of smooth muscle cells intermingled with abundant blood vessels. It rarely affects the upper lip and only few cases have been reported. This is a rare case of a swelling involving the upper lip in a 65-year-old man present for 4 years. History of trauma to the same region was reported. The medical, personal and dental history of the patient were unremarkable. Histopathological evaluation using routine H&E stain followed by special stains and immunohistochemical stains were done for ruling out various differential diagnosis and arriving at the diagnosis of Angiomyoma. For the year-long follow-up period after the surgical removal, no recurrence was noted. The presented case emphasizes the importance of histological and immunohistochemical examinations to arrive at the definitive diagnosis of rare tumours such as angiomyoma.