Cavernous hemangioma of the sphenoid sinus: Case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Few cases of paranasal sinus cavernous hemangiomas have been reported in th e literature. We report the first case of cavernous hemangioma of the sphen oid sinus and discuss therapeutic considerations and differential diagnosis . CASE DESCRIPTION A case of sphenoid sinus tumor in a 67-year-old woman is reported. The init ial symptoms were a horizontal diplopia, a left facial dysesthesia, and a r ecent history of unusual headache. Physical examination revealed a left VIt h nerve paresis. A CT scan was performed showing a hypodense homogenous mas s in the sphenoid sinus that was not enhanced after administration of contr ast medium. MR study demonstrated on T1-weighted image an isointense nonenh ancing homogenous mass filling the sphenoid sinus. On T2-weighted images th e tumor mass displayed a mild hyperintense signal. The patient was operated on via a transsphenoidal approach with total removal of the tumor. Patholo gical findings were consistent with a nonosseous cavernous hemangioma. MR i maging performed 5 years later was still normal. CONCLUSION The clinicoradiological and pathological features of this entity are descri bed, and the literature reviewed. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc.