[Cavernous haemangioma of the skull].
BACKGROUND
Cavernous haemangiomas are benign tumours that rarely affect the skull. A correct suspicion diagnosis is seldom obtained when typical radiological signs are lacking. In this way a definite diagnosis is only obtained after a surgical procedure in most cases.


METHODS
A 52-year-old female presented a painless, slow-growing tumoration in her right forehead. Skull CT showed an osteolytic lesion located within the right frontal bone. On suspicion of a metastatic origin of the lesion, a systemic research for a primary tumour was performed without significative findings. Finally, en bloc resection of the lesion was performed followed by cranioplasty. Microscopically, the lesion proved to be a cavernous haemangioma of the frontal bone.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite their low frequency, cavernous haemangiomas must be included in the differential diagnosis of slow-growing osteolytic lesions located within the skull. The elective treatment of this tumours includes a complete resection by craniectomy, with safe bony margins.
Carrasco-Moro
R
R
Servicios de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Madrid.
García-Navarrete
E
E
Navas-García
M
M
Llano
M Adrados de
MA
Sola
R García de
RG
D005260:Female; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery