Nasal tip infantile hemangioma, a case of mistaken identity

Infantile hemangioma is the most common vascular tumor in the pediatric population, and the majority of cases are diagnosed only on history and physical examination. This report highlights a case in which a 3-year-old girl undergoes surgical removal of what was thought to be an infantile hemangioma. Immunohistochemical staining, however, showed the absence of GLUT-1 marker, which discredited the original diagnosis. The vascular tumor was found to be a unique presentation of a pyogenic granuloma. When the clinical diagnosis is in question, referral for biopsy may prevent unnecessary medical interventions.