Two Cases of Angioleiomyoma of the Auricle

Abstract

Angioleiomyoma is a benign tumor originating from the muscularis layer of blood vessel walls. It usually occurs in extremities, and the auricle is not a frequent site for the development of this tumor. We present two cases of auricular angioleiomyoma diagnosed after pathological examination along with a review of literature.

Rare benign tumour at an unusual site-angiomyoma of the ear: a case report and literature review

“…Although rare cases of painful ALMs on the ears have been reported,9 head/neck ALMs are usually painless, contrasting with ALMs of the limbs, which are usually painful upon pressure or even spontaneously. [4][5][6][7][8]11,[13][14][15] ALMs of the external auditory canal can be one of the causes of hearing loss.…”

Angioleiomyoma of the Auricle: An Unusual Tumor on a Rare Location

“…Most cases appear during adulthood, typically during the fifth or sixth life decade, as in our patient, but one case was reportedly present since childhood [ 11 ]. Although rare cases of painful ALMs on the ears have been reported [ 18 ], head/neck ALMs are usually painless [ 3 , 12 , 13 , 15 – 17 , 19 , 22 ], contrasting with ALMs of the limbs, which are usually tender or painful upon pressure. ALMs of the external auditory canal can cause hearing loss [ 8 ].…”

“…ALMs of the external auditory canal can cause hearing loss [ 8 ]. Furthermore, contrasting with ALMs of the lower limbs [ 3 ], ALMs of the head/neck (including the ear) show a male predominance [ 3 , 11 – 13 , 15 , 19 , 22 ]. Clinically, ALMs must be differentiated from other benign tumors of the auricle, namely, hemangiomas, glomus tumors, epidermoid cysts, auricular pseudocysts, angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia, and neuro(fibro)mas.…”

“…In less than 10% of cases, ALMs may develop on the head/neck area, and in that case they are usually painless, rendering the clinical diagnosis even more difficult [ 2 , 3 ]. Head/neck ALMs have been reported on the nose [ 4 ], the cheek [ 5 ], the mouth [ 6 ], the nasal cavity, the hard palate, the upper lip, the upper eyelid [ 3 ], the internal [ 7 ] or external [ 8 ] auditory canal, and the ear [ 3 , 9 – 22 ]. A new case of an immunohistochemically confirmed ALM located on the auricle is presented herein, along with a brief review of the relevant literature.…”