Introduction

Aneurysmal benign fibrous histiocytoma (BFH) of the skin is an exceedingly rare tumour, accounting for 0.3% of all soft-tissue neoplasms and 1.7% of all BFHs [1]. However, the tumour is classified as being of intermediate malignant potential and is therefore a diagnosis that is of clinical significance despite its rarity [2]. To our knowledge, we report the first case of aneurysmal BFH occurring in the anal canal in a gentleman presenting with a painful anal lesion.

Case report

A 48-year-old Caucasian male presented with a 2-week history of a progressively enlarging hard painful anal lesion associated with two episodes of fresh rectal bleeding. The bleeding was present only on the toilet paper and not mixed in with the stool. This was also associated with a 2-week history of tenesmus. He experienced no other change in the bowel habit or weight loss. His past medical history included haemorrhoids, gout, depression and Freiberg’s disease (for which he has had a right total hip replacement). He has had no previous abdominal or colorectal surgery. He has a twenty pack-year smoking history and he drinks approximately ten units of alcohol per week. He has no relevant family history of note and is not on any regular medication. Digital rectal examination revealed a firm ulcerated lesion at the four o’clock position, present at the anal verge and inside the anal canal.

T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lesion showed an unusual high signal in the anal canal (Figs. 1, 2, and 3). Flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed an ulcerated 3-cm indurated lesion at the four o’clock position. The lesion had a central 1-cm ulcer with rolled edges. Punch biopsies of this lesion were inconclusive. His case was discussed extensively at a multi-disciplinary team meeting after which it was decided that a further examination under anaesthesia would be undertaken with deeper biopsies. These further deeper biopsies confirmed a diagnosis of an aneurysmal benign fibrous histiocytoma.

Fig. 1
figure 1

T2-weighted axial magnetic resonance imaging of the patient, demonstrating an unusually high signal in the anal canal

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Fig. 2
figure 2

T2-weighted transverse magnetic resonance imaging of the patient, demonstrating an unusually high signal in the anal canal

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Fig. 3
figure 3

T2-weighted coronal magnetic resonance imaging of the patient, demonstrating an unusually high signal in the anal canal

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The patient subsequently underwent surgery for the lesion under spinal anaesthetic. A diathermy dissection was performed to completely excise the tumour with a margin that involved the fibres of the anal sphincter. His post-operative management included a 5-day course of metronidazole, regular tramadol, lactulose and a 4-week follow-up in the outpatient department. The anal wound healed satisfactorily within 6 weeks and the patient suffered no residual symptoms 2 months after the surgery.

Discussion

BFH is a superficial dermal subcutaneous lesion, involving spindle-shaped cells resembling fibroblasts and myofibroblasts alongside oval cells resembling histiocytes [3]. Numerous subtypes of BFH exist, including cellular, atypical, aneurysmal, epithelioid and atrophic.

The aneurysmal variant of BFH was initially described by Santa Cruz et al. [3]. The disease most often affects young adults and children and is extremely rare, accounting for approximately 0.3% of all soft-tissue neoplasms [2]. Aneurysmal BFH has the potential to grow very large and histologically, it is characterised by large, blood-filled tissue spaces lined by histiocytes [2, 3]. Most commonly, the tumour arises in the extremities or sites with normal lymphoid tissue such as the axilla, inguinal and supraclavicular regions and the antecubital fossa. However, there have been reported cases of aneurysmal BFH occurring in the head and neck, trunk and lower limbs [4–7]. Furthermore, we found one clinical report [8] of a common polypoid BFH presenting in the anal canal, not an aneurysmal BFH.

Aneurysmal BFH most often presents as a painless mass within the dermis and subcutaneous tissue [9]. Some patients may experience concurrent non-specific symptoms such as pyrexia and malaise, which may suggest cytokine production by the tumour. Curiously, our patient presented with an isolated painful mass in the anal canal. Clinically, an aneurysmal BFH often can present variably and can mimic fibrous tumour and other benign or malignant vascular tumours. As such, a histopathological diagnosis is mandatory for diagnosis. Additionally, the aneurysmal variant is often larger than an ordinary BFH and usually undergoes faster growth due to intralesional haemorrhage and pigmentation.

Whilst accepted management of aneurysmal BFH is by a complete excision, it has been suggested that there is up to a 23% recurrence rate [7]. Furthermore, aneurysmal BFH has been classified to as being of intermediate malignant potential [7]. As such, although an aneurysmal BFH may not appear on the working differential diagnosis of a colorectal surgeon, it is an important consideration that can provide diagnostic challenges to both clinician and histopathologist alike.

Conclusion

Aneurysmal BFH is a rare finding, but should be considered as possible diagnosis in the context of an anal mass. Diagnosis is challenging as it can imitate numerous other conditions and has varied, non-specific clinical symptoms and radiological findings. Complete surgical excision is the current recommended management of this condition and on-going follow-up is advisable to monitor for re-occurrence. To our knowledge, we present the first reported case of an aneurysmal benign fibrous histiocytoma occurring in the anal canal. The patient was successfully treated with complete diathermy dissection and has had no residual symptoms since.