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Choi JY, Aldosari AM, Lim SC. Angiolipoma of the nasal alar base: A case report. World J Clin Cases 2026; 14(15): 120269 [DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i15.120269]
World J Clin Cases. May 26, 2026; 14(15): 120269 Published online May 26, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i15.120269
Angiolipoma of the nasal alar base: A case report
Ji Yun Choi, Abdullah M Aldosari, Sung-Chul Lim
Ji Yun Choi, Department of Otolaryngology, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju 61453, Gwangju, South Korea
Abdullah M Aldosari, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 12746, Ar Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sung-Chul Lim, Department of Pathology, Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju 501-717, South Korea, Gwangju 501-717, South Korea
Co-first authors: Ji Yun Choi and Abdullah M Aldosari.
Author contributions: Aldosari AM designed research; Aldosari AM and Choi JY and Lim SC performed research; Aldosari AM contributed analytic tools; Aldosari AM analyzed data; Aldosari AM and Choi JY wrote the paper.
Supported by the Clinical Medicine Research Institute at Chosun University Hospital (2022), No. 2022-19.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Ji Yun Choi, Full Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Chosun University College of Medicine, 365 Pilmundaero, Donggu, Gwangju 61453, Gwangju, South Korea. happyent@naver.com
Received: February 24, 2026 Revised: March 9, 2026 Accepted: April 10, 2026 Published online: May 26, 2026 Processing time: 79 Days and 22.4 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Angiolipoma is a rare benign tumor composed of mature adipocytes and proliferative capillary networks, most frequently found in the extremities. Occurrence in the nasal region, particularly at the alar base, is exceedingly rare, with no prior cases documented in the English-language literature.
CASE SUMMARY
A 59-year-old Korean lady presented with painless, progressive swelling of the right nostril of the right nasal alar base. Radiologic evaluation revealed a well-circumscribed, enhancing 10 mm mass without bony erosion or intranasal extension. The lesion was successfully excised via a local alar sulcus approach under local anesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed a well-encapsulated lesion composed of mature adipose tissue interspersed with variably sized blood vessels. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed vascular smooth muscle positivity for α-smooth muscle actin within the vascular walls, consistent with the diagnosis of angiolipoma. No atypia, mitosis, or infiltration was identified. The surgical course was uneventful, with cosmetic and functional results, with no evidence of recurrence at follow-up.
CONCLUSION
This is the first published case to widen the morphological spectrum of nasal angiolipomas and underscores the relevance of including angiolipoma in the differential diagnosis of vascular-appearing nasal tumors. Complete surgical excision provides good cosmetic and functional benefits with a low chance of recurrence.
Core Tip: This is the first published case to widen the morphological spectrum of nasal angiolipomas, particularly at the nasal alar base and underscores the relevance of including angiolipoma in the differential diagnosis of vascular-appearing nasal tumors. Complete surgical excision provides good cosmetic and functional benefits with a low chance of recurrence. It also provides an overview of the surgical technique for reconstruction of alar base defects. This case adds valuable insight to the literature and encourages heightened clinical suspicion for accurate diagnosis and optimal surgical management.
