Unicentric epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the calcaneus: a case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: This review of the literature combined with a clinical case will allow the illustration of a favorable outcome of this variable low grade malignancy, display a role for limb salvage surgery with intralesional treatment, and offer a clinical example of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, a rare malignancy. CASE PRESENTATION: The case report presents a case of solitary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) of the calcaneus in a 60-year-old male. Primary vascular tumors of the bone are rare; however, EHE is one of the most common primary malignant vascular tumors to occur in bone. A review of the literature found few cases that involved the calcaneus; those cases found that involved the calcaneus were either part of a multifocal or metastatic disease process. Our case presents a 45-month clinical follow-up of solitary EHE in the calcaneus treated with surgical excision by curettage and cementing. CONCLUSION: This case has clinical follow-up greater than 2 years post-operatively and could be a guide for treatment of a rare disorder with a substantial paucity of literature.