Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma of the external auditory canal in an adult.

BACKGROUND

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma is an uncommon vascular tumor initially reported to occur exclusively in children.

METHODS

The presentation, pathologic evaluation, and management of an unusual case of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma is presented and discussed.

RESULTS

A 27-year-old HIV-negative man was initially seen with a reddish nodule located in the outer third of the external auditory canal. Histologically, the tumor was composed of spindle-shaped cells arranged in short fascicles associated with small endothelial-like vascular spaces, similar in appearance to Kaposi's sarcoma. The lesion was locally excised but recurred 1 month later; then radiation therapy was performed. The patient remains well at 5-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma is important to avoid possible confusion with a variety of vascular neoplasms with different biologic potential. This case presented some diagnostic difficulty because of the age of the patient and the unusual location of the lesion and had to be mainly distinguished from Kaposi's sarcoma.