Haemangiopericytoma refers to an uncommon vascular/perivascular neoplasm of which a minority of cases arise in the head and neck. It comprises a group of lesions with marked clinical and pathological heterogeneity and a lack of positive criteria by which to make a definitive diagnosis.

We describe an unusual case of such a tumour in the submental region, review its pathological features and discuss issues in management and prognosis.

Haemangiopericytomas are rare peri-vascular tumours with variable malignant potential. The nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses are most often involved in the head and neck. Five cases of haemangiopericytomas treated by a strict endonasal endoscopic approach are presented. Bleeding and nasal obstruction are the most frequent symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allowed pre-operative assessment. Angiography with embolization was needed in two of the five cases. None of our patients presented with malignant histology. Our five cases were operated on, and a total tumour excision was performed through the endoscopic endonasal approach. We had one recurrence with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. We suggest that when the tumour is purely intranasal or strictly located in the ethmoid or sphenoid sinus, it can be removed via an endonasal approach under endoscopic guidance in experienced hands.

Haemangiopericytomas (HPCs) are rare vascular tumours that commonly involve the soft tissues of the trunk and lower extremities. In the head and neck, the most common sites are the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses, and unusually, the orbital region, the parotid gland, and the neck. We report a patient with HPC that originated in the infratemporal fossa and involved the pterygopalatine and the middle cranial fossae, apparently the first such case to be reported. Although the patient has undergone resection on three separate occasions, the tumour recurred. We then performed an extended resection using the infratemporal fossa approach type D. The patient has shown no recurrence in the past five years.

Although histopathologic confirmation of this malignancy may be difficult, extensive resection remains the most effective treatment in such cases.

Haemangiopericytoma is a rare vascular tumour, particularly in the head and neck region. We described the first case of haemangiopericytoma arising from the middle ear in 1995. The present case is the second example of a primary middle-ear haemangiopericytoma with benign histological features. Clinical photography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and histological photographs depict the findings.

Haemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare vascular tumour produced by proliferation of pericytes. One hundred and thirty-three cases of HPC have been reported in the nose and the paranasal sinuses. We present two more cases. Wide surgical excision via lateral rhinotomy, midfacial degloving, or endonasal removal is the treatment of choice. Radiotherapy has been used post-operatively in cases of incomplete removal. Life-long follow-up is required to evaluate local recurrence and late metastases.

Haemangiopericytoma is an uncommon vascular tumour that rarely appears in the head and neck region. Such a tumour arising from the middle ear has not been reported since it was first described in 1942 by Stout and Murray. The present case therefore illustrates the first example of a primary middle ear haemangioperictyoma.

Haemangiopericytoma and glomus tumours are infrequent neoplasms in otorrhinolaryngology. A case of glomus tumour with haemangiopericytomatous features of the left amygdalar fossa tsaeported. Its clinical, surgical and histological features are described. This case report supports the unitary concept of smooth muscle tumours of the small vascular wall.

Haemangiopericytoma is a rare, soft tissue, tumour with unpredictable biological behaviour. A case of haemangiopericytoma of the parotid salivary gland is reported. The clinical, surgical and histological features are described.

Haemangiopericytomas involving the parotid gland are uncommon and those arising from the gland itself are rare. Three examples of primary parotid gland hemangiopericytoma are presented. The biological course of parotid or periparotid haemangiopericytomas does not differ from that manifested by their counterparts arising from somatic soft tumours.

Haemangiopericytoma is an uncommon vascular tumour frequently diagnosed with difficulty. The immunohistochemical findings of strong positivity to vimentin together with other diagnostic features (histological and ultrastructural) improves the certainty of its diagnosis. We report a case arising in the nose and outline diagnostic problems especially relating to histopathology.