Glomeruloid haemangioma pathology

Introduction

Glomeruloid haemangioma is a rare benign cutaneous vascular proliferation that typically arises in patients with a history of POEMS syndrome.

Histology of glomeruloid haemangioma

In glomeruloid haemangioma, the histopathology shows numerous dermal ectatic vascular spaces lined by flat endothelial cells. Inside these dilated vascular spaces are a conglomeration of capillaries lined by plump, swollen endothelial cells, filled with red blood cells, resembling renal glomeruli (figures 1–4).

Figure 1

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Figure 4

Special studies for glomeruloid haemangioma

None are generally needed.

Differential diagnosis for glomeruloid haemangioma

Other conditions that should be considered in the differential diagnosis for glomeruloid haemangioma include:

• Angiosarcoma shows cytologic atypia and an infiltrative growth pattern
• Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (Masson tumour) shows the formation of papillary structures lined by hyperplastic endothelial cells in the vascular lumen.