Rare lesion, unusual location, uncommon presentation: a case of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia

Abstract

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is a rare vascular proliferation of unknown pathogenesis that may be related to trauma. Although it affects mainly the head and neck, the zygomatic area is rarely involved. We report a case that affected the zygomatic region of a 46-year-old black man. The lesion had been present for about a year and the patient reported that it appeared after a facial injury during a soccer match. Clinical and tomographic investigations suggested a benign tumour, and the lesion was excised through an intraoral approach. Histopathological examination showed the unexpected diagnosis of ALHE. This tumour was interesting because of its rarity, and also because of its unusual site within the head and neck region. The diagnosis of ALHE is hardly ever considered in the differential diagnosis of zygomatic nodules.