Forehead lipoblastoma mimicking a hemangioma

A case of forehead lipoblastoma simulating a hemangioma in a male infant is reported, to alert pediatricians to this rare tumor and to increase the in dex of suspicion in atypical hemangiomas. A 2-month-old male infant developed a protruding forehead mass with increas ed vascularity. It demonstrated progressive and accelerated growth over the subsequent 6 months, unresponsive to steroid therapy. A magnetic resonance imaging scan supported the diagnosis of hemangioma because of the hypervas cular nature of the lesion. Surgical excision was performed because of visu al obstruction. Pathologic examination of the specimen was consistent with a very primitive lipoblastoma. This tumor is a rare, benign lesion of immature fat cells that is found alm ost exclusively in the pediatric population. Lipoblastomas are more common in males than females and frequently present as asymptomatic, rapidly enlar ging, soft lobular masses on the extremities. Complete surgical excision is the definitive treatment. In the vast majority of reported cases, however, the preoperative diagnosis was incorrect, underscoring the diagnostic dile mma presented by these rare tumors.