Myopericytoma of the oral cavity

Abstract

Background. Myopericytoma is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm of pericytic cells demonstrating myoid differentiation. The lesion typically arises within the subcutaneous tissue of the extremities. We report a case that, to the best of our knowledge, is the first case of myopericytoma involving the soft tissue of the oral cavity. Methods. A 36‐year‐old woman had a 5‐mm sessile, whitish‐pink, firm tongue nodule. The patient underwent excisional biopsy, and histopathologic examination as well as immunohistochemical analysis were performed. Results. The differential diagnosis by histologic analysis included solitary fibrous tumor, myofibroma, glomus tumor, and myopericytoma. The results of immunohistochemical analysis, when combined with the histologic features, led to a diagnosis of myopericytoma. Conclusions. Applying strict morphologic criteria and appropriately selective immunohistochemical markers will help to distinguish myopericytoma in the oral cavity. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2007