Proliferative myositis in the head and neck

Area of Science:

• Head and Neck Pathology
• Surgical Oncology
• Dermatopathology

Background:

• Benign fibrous lesions in the head and neck present diverse histologic features.
• Misdiagnosis of these lesions can lead to overtreatment.
• Proliferative myositis is a rare benign lesion that can be mistaken for malignancy.

Observation:

• A 49-year-old male presented with a week-long history of swelling on the left mandible and upper neck.
• The mass was surgically removed for diagnosis and treatment.
• Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of proliferative myositis.

Findings:

• Excisional biopsy successfully removed the proliferative myositis.
• The patient remained disease-free one year post-surgery.
• Proliferative myositis is a benign condition with a good prognosis following complete excision.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis is crucial to avoid aggressive, unnecessary treatments for benign conditions.
• Proliferative myositis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses.
• Complete surgical excision is an effective treatment for proliferative myositis.