PREAURICULAR ANGIOMYXOMA IN A CHILD

Myxomas are rare benign tumours in adolescents and adults with a predo minant manifestation in the region of the maxillary and mandibulary bo ne. A case of a cystic, slowly growing tumor in the right preauricular region is presented. During operation the tumor was completely encaps ulated by connective tissue and showed a lobular shape on the cut surf ace with small cystic cavities. Histologically a myxomatous tissue was seen with a prominent and reticular capillary system like an angiomyx oma. The pathogenesis remains unclear. The definite diagnosis is estab lished by histology. Histological and immunohistochemical differentiat ion between different benign mixed tumours should include myxomatous n eurinomas and lipomas as well as myxomatous transformed histiocytomas. Surgery is the treatment of choice. After a follow-up for more than t wo years the patient is free from clinical symptoms.