Hemangiopericytoma in the sacrococcygeal space: a case report.
BACKGROUND
A hemangiopericytoma is a rare, soft-tissue tumor of vascular origin derived from a pericyte of Zimmerman, which is a modified smooth muscle cell that surrounds the small blood vessels. Hemangiopericytomas can occur wherever there are vascular capillaries. However, there are no previous reports of a hemangiopericytoma in the sacrococcygeal space.


METHODS
We describe the first reported case of a hemangiopericytoma found in the sacrococcygeal space. A 47-year-old Japanese woman presented with a palpable tumor on the left side of her anus. Preoperative imaging indicated that the tumor was in the sacrococcygeal space without invasion of other organs. A complete resection was performed via a parasacral incision. The histological and immunohistochemical staining patterns supported the diagnosis of a hemangiopericytoma.


CONCLUSIONS
A complete resection without piecemeal excision is the best way to treat a hemangiopericytoma. Recognizing the presence of a hemangiopericytoma in the sacrococcygeal space requires appropriate surgery.
Kitahata
Yuji
Y
Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, School of Medicine, Kimiidera, Wakayama, 641-8510, Japan. yokoyama@wakayama-med.ac.jp.
Yokoyama
Shozo
S
Takifuji
Katsunari
K
Hotta
Tsukasa
T
Matsuda
Kenji
K
Tominaga
Toshiji
T
Oku
Yoshimasa
Y
Watanabe
Takashi
T
Ieda
Junji
J
Yamaue
Hiroki
H