Epithelioid hemangioma of the scapula treated with chemoembolization and microwave ablation: Α case report

Abstract

Bone epithelioid hemangiomas are classified within benign vascular tumours but are commonly misdiagnosed as low-grade angiosarcomas or epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas. Current therapeutic interventions include various treatment options but local recurrence or distal lymph node involvement has been reported. We report a rare case of scapular epithelioid hemangioma that was initially treated using a combination of chemoembolization and microwave ablation. This combination has not been previously reported in the literature regarding the management of this tumour. A year after the first course of treatment, the tumour size has been reduced more than 70% and the patient has remarkable clinical improvement. Results reported in this case study demonstrated that combination of chemoembolization and microwave ablation is a feasible, safe and effective technique in the treatment of bone epithelioid hemangiomas. Even if the tumour is still present afterwards, a substantially smaller surgical excision will be needed. Keywords: Epithelioid hemangioma, Chemoembolization, Microwave ablation, Scapula