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


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.
Hansen
Torsten
T
Institute of Pathology, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany. hansen@pathologie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Kunkel
Martin
M
Katenkamp
Detlef
D
Eletr
Sami
S
Wagner
Wilfried
W
D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010010:Osteoclasts; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology