Angioleiomyoma of the proper ulnar digital artery: Case report

INTRODUCTION: With the rarity and benign nature, angioleiomyoma is a tumor of disputed etiology that originates from the tunica media of the blood vessels. Lacking any characteristic clinical or radiological features, often leading to preoperative misdiagnosis, it is only diagnosed confidently on the basis of histopathology; for this reason combined with the rarity, angioleiomyoma would not be usually found at the top of the differential diagnosis list. Local excision is usually curative with excellent prognosis. CASE: This report discusses a case of a 60-year-old healthy lady who complained of a chronic painless mass in the right 2nd digit. Originating from the proper ulnar digital artery, it was excised with no complications. Histopathology results confirmed the diagnosis of angioleiomyoma. No recurrence was observed 6 months following the procedure. DISCUSSION: Out of the handful published papers concerned with angioleiomyoma in hands, few report the origin to be the digital artery. CONCLUSION: Further awareness about this tumor is required and it should be included in the differential diagnoses list of the treating surgeon.