ANGIOLYMPHOID HYPERPLASIA WITH EOSINOPHILIA AND VASCULAR TUMORS OF THE HEAD AND NECK

Purpose: The clinicopathologic distinctions between angiolymphoid hype rplasia with eosinophilia (AHE) and vascular tumors are controversial. Some investigators believe that AHE is a variant of hemangioma, where as others state that it is an inflammatory phenomenon. To better delin eate the clinicopathologic entity of AHE and investigate the efficacy of various treatment regimens, we undertook a retrospective analysis o f AHE and compared it with other angiomatous lesions treated at a tert iary referral center. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the histopath ologic features of hemangioma, AHE, and angiosarcoma of the head and n eck seen in 46 cases at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Me dical Center between 1950 and 1992. Lesions were evaluated for presenc e of lymphoid and eosinophilic infiltration, type of endothelial cell, and pattern of vascular proliferation. Patient charts were also revie wed for clinical history and outcome. Results: The typical findings of AHE were present in 13 cases of conventional hemangioma and angiosarc oma. The clinical data of 8 AHE patients were also reviewed and a beni gn outcome was observed. Conclusion: We propose that AHE represents an angiomatous neoplasm similar to the hemangioma but characterized by a marked reactive appearance. AHE may comprise part of a spectrum of va scular tumors with differences between lesions depending in part on ho st-mediated inflammatory and immune responses. Copyright (C) 1996 by W .B. Saunders Company.