Nodular fasciitis: a case series

Given its rarity, varied histological presentation and often pseudosarcomatous appearance, nodular fasciitis is frequently misdiagnosed on pre-operative, intra-operative and final analyses.

Four cases of nodular fasciitis are reviewed.

Physical and radiological findings were consistent with a parapharyngeal tumour, probably neurogenic, a level four neck mass suspicious for lymphoma; a sternoclavicular mass in a patient with a history of breast cancer suspicious for metastasis; and a cheek mass consistent with an accessory parotid tumour. Fine needle aspiration results were consistent with a neurogenic tumour in two patients and an undifferentiated malignancy in two patients. Frozen section examination most commonly included masses with spindle-type cells. The final diagnosis of nodular fasciitis was made only after permanent section and immunohistological analysis.

In a patient with nonspecific results following investigation of a head or neck mass, nodular fasciitis should be considered. Use of appropriate immunohistochemical markers will aid in the final diagnosis.