Lobular capillary haemangioma (pyogenic granuloma) of the nose

To present a number of cases with lobular capillary haemangioma (pyogenic granuloma) of the nose; and to discuss the clinical and histopathological diagnosis of this disorder.

A clinicopathological study of patients diagnosed with nasal lobular capillary haemangioma who were treated at King Abdel Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh from 1986 to 1995.

The study group consisted of 12 patients (four males and eight females ranging in age from 17 to 65 years; mean 30.1 years). Clinically, most patients presented with epistaxis and a rapidly growing unilateral haemorrhagic mass. Most lesions were located on the septal mucosa. The clinical impression was misleading in some cases. The histological diagnosis was based on the lobular arrangement of capillaries. One case was initially misdiagnosed as angiofibroma. Excisional biopsy was the mainstay of treatment. One instance of recurrence was recorded.

This uncommon lesion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a rapidly growing haemorrhagic lesion within the nasal fossa. Clinical and histological diagnostic pitfalls occur frequently.