Staghorn vessels

Staghorn vessels, also known as hemangiopericytoma-like vessels, are a non-specific finding seen in a number of tumours.

Microscopic

Features:

• Small branching vessels:
  • "Antler-like" or "staghorn-like" appearance.

Images:

• Micrographs:
  • SFT - high mag. (WC).
  • Synovial sarcoma - intermed. mag. (WC).
• Gross:
  • Staghorn coral (WC).
  • Staghorn fungus (WC).
  • Antlers (WC).

Differential diagnosis

Entities in which staghorn vessels are seen:

• Solitary fibrous tumour/hemangiopericytoma.
• Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST).
• Synovial sarcoma.
• Myofibroma.

Others:

• Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma.
• Infantile fibrosarcoma.
• Pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma.
• Leiomyosarcoma.
• Endometrial stromal sarcoma.
• Malignant mesothelioma.
• Thymoma
• Sarcomatoid carcinoma.
• Malignant melanoma.
• Glomus tumour.