Subcutaneous Granuloma Pyogenicum: Lobular Capillary Hemangioma

• Five cases of subcutaneous angiomatous tumors had a microscopic appearance identical to the deeper portions of conventional polypoid granuloma pyogenicum. Clinically, the lesions were nonspecific subcutaneous nodules of short duration, located on the upper extremity. Microscopically, there was a distinctive and diagnostic pattern of cellular capillary lobules separated by fibrous stroma. This appearance was easily distinguished from that of granulation tissue and other vascular lesions. Granuloma pyogenicum is a specific pathologic entity that can be recognized by its histologic features. The more accurate descriptive term, "lobular capillary hemangioma," could include the entire category of polypoid, intradermal, subcutaneous, and intravenous hemangiomas that have identical microscopic findings.(Arch Dermatol 1982;118:30-33)