PURPOSE

To describe our experience with nodular fasciitis in the pediatric population, in an attempt to contribute additional information that may be used to develop a more comprehensive characterization of the disease.

METHODS

A twenty-year retrospective chart review of patients 18 years or younger diagnosed with nodular fasciitis at a single, large, academic institution.

RESULTS

Five patients were treated for nodular fasciitis during the study period. The majority (60%) were male and all presented with rapidly enlarging masses that were excised surgically. The median age at presentation was 14 years. Most (60%) lesions were located in the upper extremities and 80% had no related symptomatology or disability. All lesions were less than 3 cm in greatest dimension and 4 patients had no signs of recurrence (one patient was lost to follow-up). Pathologic, immunohistochemical, and long-term follow-up data were lacking in our cohort.

CONCLUSION

The characteristics of nodular fasciitis in children at our institution are slightly different than those which have been reported thus far based on no patients with head and neck disease or antecedent trauma to the affected area. Due to variability in clinical presentation and histologic findings, additional studies are necessary to provide more practical, consistent and effective management strategies.