Cellular hemangioma and angioblastoma of the spine, originally classified as hemangioendothelioma. A confusing diagnosis.
METHODS
The authors report two cases of vascular tumors of the spine, classified originally as benign and malignant hemangioendothelioma, and after revision, as cellular hemangioma and angioblastomatosis, respectively.


OBJECTIVE
Problems in interpretation of the confusing term hemangioendothelioma and treatment modalities for vascular tumors of the spine are discussed.


BACKGROUND
Hemangioendothelioma is a confusing term and is often used to cover bewilderment at the biological behavior of a vascular tumor. Its spectrum ranges, depending the references used, from benign to malignant and can mistakenly include benign lesions like cellular hemangioma and angioblastoma (solitary and multicentric).


METHODS
Of two patients with a cellular tumor of the spine, the clinicopathologic data and modes of treatment are reviewed. The relevant literature is discussed.


RESULTS
In the first case, the diagnosis of benign cellular hemangioendothelioma was changed to cellular hemangioma. In the second case, the original diagnosis of malignant hemangioendothelioma with metastasis to liver and lungs was changed to angioblastomatosis, most probably benign. In both cases, a correct interpretation of the initial diagnosis or proper diagnosis would have influenced the mode of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Avoid the confusing term hemangioendothelioma. If a vascular lesion is benign, it should be classified as a variant of hemangioma. If malignant as angiosarcoma, use a separate category, in which lesions like angioblastoma and angioblastomatosis can be put until their nature has been clarified.
Been
H D
HD
Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Pathology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Fidler
M W
MW
Bras
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018325:Hemangioblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006390:Hemangioendothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008875:Middle Aged; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae