Epithelioid hemangioma of bone: a report of two special cases and a literature review

Intraosseous epithelioid hemangioma (EH) is a rare intermediate vascular neoplasm, characterized by locally aggressive and rarely metastasizing behavior. Occasionally, EH of bone can behave strangely and may simulate malignant neoplasm. Here, we report two cases of EH of bone. Of interest was the fact that the computed tomography and magnetic resonance images from one case showed an osteolytic lesion in the right scapula, with multiple swollen lymph nodes in the right supraclavicular and axillary areas. Another patient exhibited a local recurrence in the cervical vertebrae. The initial radiological diagnosis of both cases was metastatic tumor. EH should be included in the differential diagnosis of a radiographic osteolytic lesion with an aggressive appearance. Also, we reviewed the literature that reported EH of bone and summarized their radiological appearances. The cases of EH of bone that exhibited involvement of regional or draining lymph nodes were also summarized.