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Pseudosarcomatous fibrovascular proliferative tissue masquerading as a primary subglottic angiosarcoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Ricardo Persaud
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK.
Dil Vahidova
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK.
Claudia Kirsch
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK.
Maria Calaminici
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology; St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK.
Khalid Ghufoor
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK.

Abstract

A unique case of pseudosarcomatous fibrovascular proliferative tissue causing biphasic stridor and simulating a primary subglottic angiosarcoma is reported.

The patient presented with a wheeze and was diagnosed initially with asthma. He subsequently developed worsening biphasic stridor. Flexible nasendoscopy revealed a subglottic mass obstructing the airway. The mass was removed with a carbon dioxide laser and the patient’s condition improved dramatically. The specimen was difficult to interpret histologically and was thought at first to be a novel case of a primary subglottic angiosarcoma. However, the slides were reviewed by expert soft tissue pathologists in the UK and USA, and a final diagnosis of a pseudosarcomatous fibrovascular proliferative lesion was made.

This case highlights the important principle of seeking additional opinions before making a malignant diagnosis in an atypical site. Our report also emphasizes the importance of good clinico-pathological liaison, especially in difficult cases.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2004 Royal Society of Medicine Press

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