Hemangiomas of the long tubular bone

The overall spectrum of hemangiomas involving long tubular bones is exemplified by three cases, the first being medullary, the second periosteal, and the third intracortical. The clinical presentation was progressive pain at the site of the lesion in all cases. The medullary hemangioma involved the distal shaft of the humerus and was entirely radiolucent. The periosteal tumor was exceptional in that it affected the proximal shaft of the tibia in contrast to the seven previously reported cases that involved the midshaft of the bone. The intracortical hemangioma was in the tibia, the site of all three previously reported cases. Hemangioma of bone may show variable roentgenographic patterns related to the anatomic location and the type of involved bone. The final diagnosis is dependent on histologic evaluation.