Durally-based occipital cavernous haemangioma indistinguishable from meningioma

Extra-Axial Cavernous Angioma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Cavernous angiomas (CAs) are benign vascular malformations predominantly seen in the brain parenchyma and therefore referred to as intra-axial. Extra-axial dural-based cavernous angiomas, on the other hand, are rare vascular lesions found outside of the brain parenchyma. They occur in the middle fossa and may be easily misdiagnosed as meningiomas due to their extra-axial location. In addition, CAs that are located outside the middle fossa, such as in the convexity, have a better prognosis since they are more surgically accessible. Surgical resection is the main treatment of choice in CAs. However, other options, such as embolization and radiotherapy, may also be considered therapeutic choices or additive treatment options. The pathogenesis of CA and the involvement of other factors (genetics or environmental factors) are still unknown and require further investigation. We are presenting a young man who presented for evaluation of seizure-like events without any family history of neurologic conditions. The physical examination was unremarkable except for a slightly antalgic gait. Imaging studies showed an extra-axial left tentorial mass suggestive of a meningioma, hemangiopericytoma, or other extra-axial lesions. The lesion was resected where its vascular nature was mentioned initially, and the histology proved the diagnosis of cavernous angioma. Here we give an overview of the known pathogenesis, causes, clinical features, and diagnostic and therapeutic options in CA. Better knowledge about CA, its causes, clinical features, and treatment options would help clinicians in early diagnosis and patient management.

Atypical Presentation of Parietal Convexity Dural-Based Cavernous Hemangioma: A Case Report and Review of Literature

BACKGROUND

Dural presentation of a cavernous hemangioma is a rare occurrence. Classically an intraparenchymal lesion with varying symptomatology including mostly headaches, seizures, and neurologic deficits depending on its location, a few cases have been reported along the convexity of the brain, even less eroding the calvaria, with none occasioning abnormal movements as the initial presentation.

CASE DESCRIPTION

This is a case of a 67-year-old male who presented to the clinic for atypical progressive choreiform movements of the right side of his body and a soft subgaleal mass. Radiographic imaging showed a parietal tumor with intradural and extradural invasion mimicking a meningioma, which does not provide, given its location, a clear explanation of the symptoms. A craniotomy was performed on 29 January, 2018, during which the tumor was resected along with the invaded dura mater and calvaria.

CONCLUSIONS

A pathology report was positive for cavernous hemangioma, an unexpected diagnosis based on the tumor's characteristics. After surgery, the patient recovered completely without residual symptoms, suggesting a compressive mass effect causing the atypical movement disorders.

Dural-Based Cavernous Malformation at the Cerebral Convexity: Report of Two Pediatric Patients

BACKGROUND

Intracranial cavernous malformations (CMs) are usually located at the cerebral parenchyma; dural-based CMs outside the middle fossa are rarely reported. To our knowledge, dural-based CMs located at the cerebral convexity are even rarer in that only 2 pediatric cases have ever been reported. In this report, we present 2 extremely rare cases of dural-based CMs at the cerebral convexity in pediatric patients. The clinical course, radiologic and pathologic features, treatment, and follow-up are described.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The first case is a 6-year-old boy who presented with headache and vomiting and was found to have an acute subdural hematoma and space-occupying lesion. Intraoperative findings and histologic examination were consistent with a CM. He experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery. The second case is a 43-day-old female neonate who presented with a progressively enlarging neoplasm at the right occipital region since birth. Computed tomography of the head performed at admission showed a slight hyperdense occupying lesion communicating between the intra- and extracranial cavity through a skull defect. The lesion was resected en bloc and histologic examination was in accord with a CM.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical manifestations and radiologic characteristics of dural-based CMs are nonspecific. Unlike that of their cerebral parenchymal counterparts, the radiologic appearance of dural-based CMs is confusing and misleading. Surgical resection is the primary treatment selection for dural-based CMs. In cases with no close relationship to dural sinuses, complete surgical resection with minimal blood loss and few neurologic deficits could be easily achieved.

Cavernous hemangioma of the dura mater mimicking meningioma

Background:

Cavernomas are benign lesions that most commonly occur intra-parenchymally, but occasionally they have been described as arising from the dura mater. Extra-axial cavernous angiomas (or hemangiomas) account for 0.4–2% of all intracranial vascular malformations, and they usually occur in the middle cranial fossa, associated with the cavernous sinus. Other possible localizations (e.g. tentorium, convexity, anterior cranial fossa, cerebellopontine angle, Meckel's cave, sella turcica and internal auditory meatus) are rare, and they account only for 0.2–0.5%.

Case Description:

We report a case of a 30-year-old female presenting with a 2 years history of headache unresponsive to drug therapy. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a dural-based lesion in the left frontal region; the lesion size was: 1.5 cm × 3.5 cm. The appearance suggested a convexity meningioma. A left frontal craniotomy was performed, and the histopathological diagnosis deposed for a cavernous hemangioma of the dura mater. The follow-up at 1-year was good without any neurologic deficit.

Conclusions:

Dural-based cavernous hemangiomas of the convexity are uncommon lesions. Up to now, only 13 cases have been described in the literature. The authors have discussed clinical aspects, radiological features, surgical treatment, and operative findings.