A light microscopical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural comparison of hemangiomata and lymphangiomata

In this study we have compared the light microscopical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of five hemangiomata of the dermis with five lymphangiomata of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. We have attempted to define differentiating features with regard to the ultrastructural appearances and the immunohistochemical staining for the endothelial markers factor VIII-related antigen (FVIII:RAg) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I). In addition, immunolocalization of FVIII:RAg at the ultrastructural level was performed to compare its distribution within endothelial cells of neoplastic blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The results show that immunohistochemical staining for FVIII:RAg and UEA-I does not differentiate between blood and lymphatic vessels. However, the presence of a fragmented basal lamina and anchoring filaments does distinguish lymphatic vessels from blood vessels ultrastructurally.