J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2015 Jan;57(1):65-67. 10.3340/jkns.2015.57.1.65.

Thoracic Extraosseous Epidural Cavernous Hemangioma

• Yaldiz C
• Asil K
• Ceylan D
• Erdem S

• KMID: 2067095
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2015.57.1.65

Abstract

Cavernous hemangiomas were first reported in 1929 by Globus and Doshay, and are defined as benign vascular structures developed between the neural tissues occurring in the central nervous system, consisting of a dilated vascular bed. Cavernous hemangiomas comprise nearly 5-12% of all spinal vascular malformations; however, existence in the epidural space without bone involvement is rare. Only 4% of all cavernous hemangiomas (0.22/1.000.000) are purely epidural cavernous hemangiomas. In this case report, we removed a hemorrhagic thoracic mass presenting with progressive neurological deficits in a 55-year-old male patient. We found this case to be appropriate for presentation due to the rare occurrence of this type of cavernous hemangioma.

Keyword

Cavernous hemangioma; Extraosseous-epidural; Thoracic vertebrae; Hemangioma

MeSH Terms

Central Nervous System
Epidural Space
Hemangioma
Hemangioma, Cavernous*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Thoracic Vertebrae
Vascular Malformations

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Mass lesion with hypointensity in T1-weighted images (arrow) (A), with slightly lower signal than CSF in T2-weighted images (arrow) (B), and slightly heterogeneous gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images (C) upon sagittal thoracic spine MRI. CSF : cerebrospinal fluid.

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  Fig. 2 Mass displacing the spinal cord to the right side in the axial plane in the T2-weighted (A) and fat suppression T1-weighted enhanced (B) images uponthe MRI.

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  Fig. 3 Extradural hemorrhagic mass located in the operating field (arrows) (A) and its gross finding after total removal (B).

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  Fig. 4 Flattened endothelium-coated large dilated blood vessels (H&E, ×40).

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