Characteristics, Natural Course and Treatment of Intramuscular Capillary-type Haemangioma: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Intramuscular capillary-type haemangiomas (ICTH) are rare vascular anomalies that can easily be misdiagnosed as other entities. A systematic review was performed of all cases of ICTH in the literature since its first description in 1972. An adjudication committee reviewed cases to include only ICTHs. Among 1,143 reports screened, 43 were included, involving 75 patients. The most frequent differential diagnosis was intramuscular venous malformations. The mean age of patients at diagnosis was 21.2 years. ICTH was mainly described as a gradually increasing mass (81.8%), painless (73.9%), that could occur anywhere in the body but most frequently on the head and neck (44.0%). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was mainly used for diagnosis (69.1%) and displayed specific features. The most frequent treatment was complete surgical removal (73.9%), which could be preceded by embolization, and led to complete remission without recurrence in all but 1 case.

Keywords

• Intra-muscular hemangioma
• Intramuscular capillary-type hemangioma
• Fast-flow
• Intramuscular vascular malformation
• Extracranial arteriovenous malformation
• Intramuscular fast-flow vascular anomaly