Nodular fasciitis: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Given its rarity, varied histological presentation and often pseudosarcomatous appearance, nodular fasciitis is frequently misdiagnosed on pre-operative, intra-operative and final analyses.


METHODS
Four cases of nodular fasciitis are reviewed.


RESULTS
Physical and radiological findings were consistent with a parapharyngeal tumour, probably neurogenic, a level four neck mass suspicious for lymphoma; a sternoclavicular mass in a patient with a history of breast cancer suspicious for metastasis; and a cheek mass consistent with an accessory parotid tumour. Fine needle aspiration results were consistent with a neurogenic tumour in two patients and an undifferentiated malignancy in two patients. Frozen section examination most commonly included masses with spindle-type cells. The final diagnosis of nodular fasciitis was made only after permanent section and immunohistological analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
In a patient with nonspecific results following investigation of a head or neck mass, nodular fasciitis should be considered. Use of appropriate immunohistochemical markers will aid in the final diagnosis.
Reitzen
S D
SD
Department of Otolaryngology, New York University Medical Center, New York, New York 10016, USA. reitzs01@med.nyu.edu
Dogan
S
S
Har-El
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed