Dilated lymphatic vessels in tufted angioma: a potential source of diagnostic confusion

Am J Dermatopathol. 2012 Jun;34(4):400-3. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e318234e720.

Abstract

Tufted angioma (TA), an uncommon benign vascular tumor, has a variable clinical presentation, and histopathologic findings are a key component of diagnosis. The presence of lymphatic vessels suggestive of lymphangioma can occasionally be the predominant finding and cause diagnostic confusion. Nine biopsies from 7 cases of TA were studied to assess the frequency and distribution of lymphangioma-like areas. Specimens were also stained with D2-40, VEGF-A, GLUT-1, and HHV-8. In one biopsy, lymphangioma-like vessels were the main finding. In all other cases of TA, lymphatics were present in the stroma but were often overshadowed by tufts of capillaries. D2-40 highlighted the stromal lymphatics and partially stained the capillaries within tufts. VEGF-A showed diffuse nonspecific staining of epidermis and endothelial cells in all specimens. GLUT1 and HHV-8 staining were uniformly negative in all 9 specimens. Accurate diagnosis of TA has important clinical implications given its occasional association with Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon, and the presence of lymphangioma-like vessels in biopsies of vascular lesions is entirely compatible with TA.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Capillaries / chemistry
  • Capillaries / pathology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Connecticut
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Dilatation, Pathologic
  • Female
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1 / analysis
  • Hemangioma / chemistry
  • Hemangioma / pathology*
  • Hemangioma / virology
  • Herpesvirus 8, Human / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infant
  • Lymphatic Vessels / chemistry
  • Lymphatic Vessels / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Vessels / virology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / virology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • SLC2A1 protein, human
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • monoclonal antibody D2-40

Supplementary concepts

  • Tufted angioma