Masson's disease in hand surgery: a clinicopathologic study of four cases

Intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH), also known as Masson's tumour, is an uncommon benign vascular lesion characterized by small multiple, endothelial-lined, papillary structures with hyaline stalks. It appears to be a reactive condition involving excessive proliferation of endothelial cells in normal blood vessels or in vascular malformations, perhaps in response to blood vessel injury or thrombosis. The lesions are small, superficial, reddish-blue nodules, usually in the head, neck or hand. Distinction from pyogenic granuloma and angiosarcoma usually requires pathological examination. Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Four cases affecting the finger are presented together with histological features.