Hemangioma of the mandible: case report with special emphasis on bone degradation.

PURPOSE

Intraosseous hemangioma of the mandible is a rare tumor. In this report, we present a case with a particularly prominent osteolysis and discuss the histological features of bone degradation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We describe a 64-year-old female patient with a cystic tumor mass of the mandible leading to pathologic bone fracture. X-ray analysis was suggestive for aneurysmatic bone cyst. A segment resection was performed.

RESULTS

The histological examination revealed a mesenchymal tumor with numerous capillaries and dilated vessels immunohistochemically being positive for CD31, but not for D2-40. In addition, there was a remarkable increase of osteoclasts that sometimes exhibited Howship's lacunae. The tumor was diagnosed as intraosseous hemangioma with prominent bone degradation.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our histological findings, it should be further investigated whether there could be an association between angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis as a central pathway leading to bone destruction in the case of intraosseous hemangiomas.