title: Extradural transcavernous approach to cavernous sinus cavernous hemangiomas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cavernous sinus cavernous hemangioma (CSCH) is a rare extra-axial vascular lesion and is difficult to be removed due to their location, propensity for profuse bleeding during surgery, and relationship to complex neurovascular structures. The purpose of this study is to report our experience of the removal of CSCHs through a completely extradural transcavernous approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with CSCH, who were operated through a purely extradural approach, were retrospectively studied. Clinical symptoms and signs, radiographic characteristics, operative techniques and outcomes of these patients were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Headache and visual impairment were the most common clinical symptoms, followed by facial hypesthesia and ptosis. Radiographically, CSCHs have a characteristic pattern. On computed tomography (CT) scans, CSCHs are isodense or minimally hyperdense, with an intense homogenous contrast administration. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) scans revealed well-demarcated and hypo- to isointense lesions on T1-weighted images and characteristically, markedly hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted images. The T2-weighted images showed a marked homogeneous and an intense enhancement after contrast administration. All CSCHs were treated by a completely extradural transcavernous approach. Gross total excision was achieved in all 12 patients. Post-operative complication included transient cranial nerve dysfunction for 2-3 months in eight patients, and three patients developed a permanent VI nerve palsy. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 117 months (mean 62 months), and no patient had experienced tumor recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CSCHs are rare and challenging skull base tumors. The microsurgical resection, using an extradural transcavernous approach which allows complete tumor resection with an acceptable intraoperative and postoperative complications, should be considered as a favorable choice among all treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, PR China. Electronic address: limeihua2000@sina.com.
authors.forename: Mei-Hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, PR China.
authors.forename: Jian-Lan
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, PR China.
authors.forename: Yi-Yun
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, PR China.
authors.forename: Chun-Hui
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, PR China.
authors.forename: Geng-Sheng
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, PR China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
keywords: Cavernous hemangioma; Cavernous sinus; Extradural approach