MYOFIBROBLASTIC TUMOR - INFANTILE DIGITAL FIBROMA (RECURRENT DIGITAL FIBROUS TUMOR OF CHILDHOOD)

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 94  (1) , 19-36
Abstract
Infantile digital fibromas are distinctive tumors both clinically and morphologically. A unique light microscopic feature is the presence of intracytoplasmic, spherical, eosinophilic inclusion bodies. Previous EM studies have shown these bodies consist of fibrils; bundles of fibrils have also been described in the cytoplasm. In one such tumor, it was established that the component cells are typical myofibroblasts. The latter are a variety of fibroblasts first described in granulation tissue; they are endowed with contractile properties and are characterized ultrastructurally by bundles of fibrils containing dense bodies such as are found in smooth muscle cells. Since this case is identical to those previously described, this tumor may be called infantile digital myofibroblastoma.