title: Are cavernous sinus hemangiomas and cavernous malformations different entities?
abstract: Cavernous hemangiomas that occur within the cavernous sinus (CS) are different from cerebral cavernous malformations (CMs) clinically, on imaging studies, and in their response to treatment. Moreover, CMs are true vascular malformations, whereas hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors. Because of these differences, the authors suggest that these two entities be analyzed and grouped separately. Unfortunately, despite these differences, much confusion exists in the literature as to the nature, behavior, and classification of these two distinct lesions. This confusion is exacerbated by subtle histological differences and the inconsistent use of nomenclature. The authors use the term "cavernous malformation" to refer to intraaxial lesions only; they prefer to use the term "cavernous sinus hemangioma" to refer to extraaxial, intradural hemangiomas of the CS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
authors.forename: L Fernando
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Lekovic
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eschbacher
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coons
authors.forename: Randall W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Porter
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Spetzler
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000639:trends