Angiomyofibroblastoma of the mediastinum

Abstract

Introduction:Angiomyofibroblastoma (AMFB) is an extremely rare disease. It commonly occurs in middle-aged females and mainly involves the vulvovaginal region. Pathological examination plays an important role in differentiating from other tumors. But far less published literature focus on the imaging characteristics of AMFB.Clinical findings/diagnoses:We reported a case of AMFB in a 73-year-old male, involving the mediastinum with computed tomography (CT) imaging and pathologic findings. Preoperative unenhanced CT scan of chest revealed a 6.9 × 7.4 × 9.3 cm mass with equal density, located in the posterior mediastinum. On contrast-enhanced CT images, the tumor presented moderate, heterogeneous enhancement. Due to the unclear interface between the tumor and adjacent tissues, this patient underwent operative partial resection of the tumor. The pathologic diagnosis was AMFB.Conclusions:This tumor represents a further example of unusual location different from conventional AMFB. This case adds to the experience with AMFB by summarizing its characteristics, and also reviewing the literature.

Angiomyofibroblastoma and Potential Mimicking Soft Tissue Tumors That May Occasionally Present in the Retroperitoneum: An Approach to the Differential Diagnosis With Report of an Unusual Index Case Abutting the Kidney

“…AMFB usually occurs in young to middle-aged women. Rare cases in males have been described12,20,21 (Table 2), but the great majority of similar tumors in men appear to be different from classic AMFB. Generally, AMFB presents as a painless superficial mass in the vagina or vulva 2.…”

“…Infrequent cases from nonvulvovaginal sites have been reported in the fallopian tube, cervix, urethra and bladder3–13 and, even more rarely, in the pelvis14,15 and retroperitoneum1 (Table 2). 3–25 Similar but distinct tumors, designated as AMFB-like tumor and, subsequently, cellular angiofibroma may also be found in the inguinoscrotal region of men26,27 and are considered separately below.…”

Angiomyofibroblastoma mimicking an inguinal hernia: a challenging diagnosis in a male patient

“…In contrast, AA is ill-defined, infiltrates the surrounding tissues and presents a higher risk of recurrence (30–40%) [6–10]. We have enumerated in Table 1 the criteria of differential diagnosis between AMF, CA and AA [1–4, 6, 9–13].…”

“…The AMF is a rare tumour and mostly occurs in females, with a female-to-male ratio of 10 : 1. In men, the tumour can occur in the pelvi-perineal region (spermatic cord, scrotum, perineum, inguinal region) but can also involve the nasal cavity and mediastinum [3, 4].…”

“…In this paper we present the 14 th case of AMF reported in the Medline database until the beginning of 2017, as arising in the inguinal region of a male patient [3, 4]. The particularity of the case consists in its incidental finding in the inguinal region’s soft tissue, this mass being preoperatively diagnosed as a hernial sac.…”