An Angiomyomatous Hamartoma With Features of Vascular Transformation of Sinuses in the Mediastinal Lymph Node of a Beagle Dog

Abstract

Two similar benign, nonneoplastic vascular lesions have been described in the lymph nodes of humans and animals: angiomyomatous hamartoma (AMH), which is characterized by the replacement of lymphoid tissue by blood vessels, smooth muscle, and fibrous tissue, and vascular transformation of sinuses (VTS), which is considered a reactive transformation of lymph node sinuses into capillary-like vascular channels. We hereby report a lesion with features common to both lesions in the mediastinal lymph nodes of a 1-year-old beagle dog in a 1-month toxicity study. Grossly, enlargement and red discoloration were observed, while microscopically, the lesion was characterized by effacement of the lymph node parenchyma with replacement by mature blood vessels, smooth muscle, and fibrous tissue, associated with lymphoid atrophy, which is consistent with AMH. However, multifocal areas of anastomosing or plexiform capillary-like channels lined by normal to slightly plump endothelium, similar to those described for VTS, were also present. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed abundant positive staining for smooth muscle actin and endothelial cells (von Willebrand factor/factor VIII) and the absence of proliferation (Ki67). In conclusion, these lesions most likely represent a mixture of both AMH and VTS.