A case of epithelioid hemangioma of the tongue

Abstract

Epithelioid hemangioma (EH) is also called angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) and is classified as a benign vascular tumor accompanied by chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. EH of the tongue is uncommon, and only 12 cases have been reported in the literature. We reported a case of EH of the tongue in a 73-year-old man. He had complained of a reddish mass on the left margin of the tongue and was referred to our hospital. The mass was elastic hard and tender. Contrast computed tomography and contrast magnetic resonance imaging of the mass showed a higher signal than that of the surrounding tissues. As a diagnosis could not be made on an incisional biopsy, the entire mass was excised with the patient under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, and the result of immunostaining was CD31 positive, and a diagnosis of EH was made. One and a half years after surgery, no recurrence has occurred.