Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41685293›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in oncology2025

Atypical fibrous histiocytoma of the skull: a case report of temporal bone involvement and comprehensive literature review.

Qiang Dong, Jing Shi, Beiyan Tang, Hongyu Wang, Chengliang Miao, Yongqiang Ma, Lei Duan, Guoqiang Yuan, Yawen Pan

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Qiang DongDepartment of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Jing ShiDepartment of Urology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Beiyan TangThe Second Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Hongyu WangDepartment of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Chengliang MiaoDepartment of Neurosurgery, No.1 Hospital Of Yumen City, Yumen, Gansu, China.
Yongqiang MaDepartment of Neurosurgery, No.1 Hospital Of Yumen City, Yumen, Gansu, China.
Lei DuanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Guoqiang YuanThe Second Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Yawen PanDepartment of Neurosurgery, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: Atypical fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is an uncommon intermediate-grade fibrohistiocytic tumor that typically arises in the dermis or superficial soft tissues. Primary involvement of the skull is exceedingly rare and poses significant diagnostic challenges. We report a rare case of primary AFH arising in the temporal bone of an adult patient and provide a focused review of previously reported skull-based cases to clarify its clinicopathologic features, diagnostic pitfalls, and management considerations. Methods: A 34-year-old man presented with progressive right-sided tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an osteolytic temporal bone lesion with intracranial extension and compression of the adjacent temporal lobe. Gross total surgical resection was performed. Detailed histopathological evaluation and an extended immunohistochemical panel were used to establish the diagnosis. A literature review of reported skull AFH cases was conducted for comparison. Results: Histologic examination revealed a moderately cellular spindle-cell tumor arranged in fascicles and storiform patterns, accompanied by multinucleated giant cells, hemosiderin-laden macrophages, and reactive bone formation. Immunohistochemistry showed diffuse vimentin positivity, weak cytoplasmic CD68 expression, and a Ki-67 proliferation index of approximately 20%, with negative staining for epithelial, melanocytic, neural crest, smooth muscle, and Langerhans cell markers. These findings supported the diagnosis of atypical fibrous histiocytoma. Postoperatively, tinnitus improved, while hearing loss showed limited recovery. No evidence of recurrence was observed during follow-up. Conclusion: Primary AFH of the temporal bone is an exceptionally rare entity that can mimic other destructive skull lesions on imaging and intraoperative inspection. Accurate diagnosis relies on careful histopathologic evaluation and exclusion of histologic mimickers using a comprehensive immunohistochemical panel. Complete surgical excision remains the cornerstone of treatment, and long-term follow-up is recommended due to the tumor's intermediate malignant potential.

Indexed as

atypical fibrous histiocytomaliterature reviewpathological diagnosisskull tumortemporal bone

Identifiers

PMID41685293
PMCPMC12890691

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