Cavernous hemangiomas in the cavernous sinus. Case reports.
BACKGROUND
Extra-axial cavernous hemangiomas are rare and have a propensity to develop within the cavernous sinus. Total removal of these vascular tumors is difficult due to the risk of severe intraoperative bleeding and the complicated neurovascular structures of the cavernous sinus. Only a small number of cases have been reported to be successfully totally removed.


METHODS
Retrospective studies were done in three cases of extraaxial cavernous hemangiomas located in the cavernous sinus. All three patients presented with clinical symptoms common to other tumors located in the region, such as headache and impairment of cranial nerve function. Their preoperative MRI results showed significant hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and marked enhancement with gadolinium-DTPA that delineated a sharp tumor margin.


RESULTS
All three patients underwent total tumor removal, with an uneventful postoperative course. There was no postoperative neurological deficit in one patient, and a complete ophthalmoplegia and diminished sensation in the V1 distribution in two patients. Three months after operation, follow-up MRI or CT scan showed no residual tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical resection of these lesions was possible but difficult because of severe bleeding. Avoiding piecemeal removal before the main feeding arteries are interrupted can minimize intraoperative bleeding.
Shi
J
J
Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University, School of Medicine, People's Republic of China.
Wang
H
H
Hang
C
C
Pan
Y
Y
Liu
C
C
Zhang
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA