Intramuscular Hemangioma of the Masseter: Erectile Hemangioma

Abstract

Intramuscular hemangiomas are rare benign congenital neoplasms of vascular origin. They account for less than 1% of all hemangiomas and less than 20% of these are found in head and neck and present in 2nd and 3rd decade. The masseter is the most frequently involved site in the head and neck. Because of their infrequency, deep location and unfamiliar presentation, these lesions are seldom correctly diagnosed clinically and usually present as facial swelling causing facial asymmetry. A case of intramuscular hemangioma occurring in masseter muscle of an 8-year-old girl is presented here. Ultrasonography, color Doppler and Gd-enhanced MRI were performed and a presumptive diagnosis of hemangioma was considered which was subsequently confirmed by excision biopsy.