Surgical Treatment of Oral Cavity Nodular Fasciitis

J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Mar/Apr;31(2):e108-e110. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000005877.

Abstract

Nodular fascitiis is a myofibroblastic neoplasm of the soft tissue that rarely affects oral cavity. With a broad pattern of presentation, sometimes Nodular Fascitiis can have a rapid growth and appear highly cellular with local aggressiveness on biopsies, thus simulating a sarcoma. The aim of this paper is to present a case of troublesome diagnosis of nodular fascitiis mimicking a Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma, with the purpose of alert clinicians and pathologists on the difficulties that can be met in the differential diagnosis between these 2 lesions. A 42-year-old male presented an exophytic lesion on the cheek. After the excisional biopsy, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations revealed a picture of doubtful significance. With a careful analysis, the diagnosis of nodular fasciitis was made and the patient was not further treated. At a 3-year follow-up, no recurrence was found. Differential diagnosis within myofibroblastic neoplasm can be a real challenge for both Clinicians and Pathologist. A coordinated team-work is mandatory to avoid clinical malpractice and unnecessarily aggressive treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Cheek / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fasciitis / diagnosis
  • Fasciitis / etiology*
  • Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* / complications
  • Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* / diagnosis
  • Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mouth Neoplasms / complications
  • Mouth Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / surgery