Intramuscular hemangioma capillary type with HRAS mutation: Expanding the molecular genetic spectrum with an emphasis on overlap with arteriovenous malformations and distinct from infantile hemangioma

Aims

Intramuscular hemangioma capillary type (IHCT) is a rare entity that refers to fast-flow vascular lesions. This study aims to elucidate the relationships between clinicopathological, radiological, and molecular characteristics in IHCT patients.

Methods and results

We reviewed all IHCT cases which were treated surgically in our pathology database from 2014 to 2023. Ten cases were analyzed via next-generation sequencing (NGS) and Sanger sequencing. The cohort consisted of 10 patients (6 males, 4 females) with a median age of 18 years (range: 1–37). Disease lesions were located in the trunk (n = 4), upper extremity (n = 2), lower extremity (n = 2), shoulder (n = 1), and neck (n = 1). IHCT is most commonly a progressively increasing painless mass. Histopathologically, all lesions exhibited aggregates, lobules, and anastomosing cords of capillary-type vessels separating or infiltrating the skeletal muscles. Four cases exhibited irregularly dilated vessels with thick walls, such as arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in the lesion's periphery. MRI findings commonly demonstrated a well-delineated, homogeneous mass. Somatic mutations were detected in seven of the ten IHCT cases. Four cases harbored mutations in MAP2K1 (p.Q58_E62del, p.K57_G61del, p.K57 N), two cases harbored mutations in KRAS (p.Q61R and p.L56V, p.G13R), and one case harbored a mutation in HRAS (p.D69_Q70insRWYSAMRD). Mutant allele frequencies detected by sequencing ranged from 9.98% to 15.97%.

Conclusions

The hemodynamic and molecular genetic phenotypes of IHCT closely resemble those observed in AVMs. Newly identified KRAS missense mutations, including cases with coexisting mutation types, and HRAS insertion mutations offer valuable insights into the genetic basis of vascular anomalies. These findings may also present potential targets for the development of novel pharmacotherapeutic interventions.