Malignant haemangiopericytoma of the neck in a young Nigerian presenting with spinal and pulmonary metastases: a case report

Abstract

Introduction
Haemangiopericytoma is a rare, soft-tissue tumor of vascular origin derived from pericyte that surrounds the smooth muscles of small blood vessels. The common sites are the musculatures of the lower extremities, head and neck. Computed tomographic angiography facilitates the diagnosis of vascular neoplasms, preoperative definition of blood supply, and therefore guide to embolization of tumor.
Case presentation
A 30-year-old young man presented with a four-year history of painless progressive lateral neck swelling, which was increasing gradually and bled at slight contact. The tumour showed high vascularity on computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and multiple pulmonary and spinal metastases. Histology revealed malignant haemangiopericytoma. He was being prepared for chemo-radiotherapy due to tumor unresectability.
Conclusion
This is a case of histologically proven haemangiopericytoma in a 30-year-old man who presented with painless progressive lateral neck swelling, which appeared hypervascular on CTA, which also showed a concurrent and an unusual cervical spinal and muli-focal pulmonary  metastases. The relevant literature was also reviewed

Key words: hemangiopericytoma, computed tomographic angiography, vascular