Cavernous hemangioma of the optic canal

Abstract

Cavernous hemangioma is the most frequent orbital tumor in adults. It has so far not been described in an intracanalicular situation. Two such cases recently encountered are presented, and the literature is reviewed. The clinical, radiological, neurophysiological, surgical, and pathological findings from the two cases are described.

Anterior visual pathway cavernous malformations

“…Visual deficits were unchanged in three [17], and showed partial improvement in two [18,61]. In comparison, of four patients [34,39,46,52] where visual deficits showed near-complete improvement, all four received surgical management during the index presentation, three of which were complete resections (not recorded in the one remaining case).…”

“…In four of the above cases [17,18,61], the patients were recommended for initial observation after clinical review, while in the remaining case (current presented patient) the patient was lost to clinical follow-up and re-presented to hospital 16 years after their initial presentation.…”

Optic nerve disorders: role of canal and nerve sheath decompression surgery

“…Indirect decompression may also be appropriate: endoscopic transethmoidal decompression of the posterior intraorbital and intracanicular segments can usefully be achieved for otherwise inoperable sphenoid meningiomas impinging on the optic nerve from the superolateral aspect (Figure 4). [47][48][49][50] In conclusion, the optic canal may be decompressed as part of the treatment of an extrinsic compressing tumour ( Table 2). In the case of fibrous dysplasia, surgery is usually most appropriate for secondary mass lesions and in traumatic optic neuropathy for delayed secondary visual loss in an otherwise fit patient.…”

Apoplexy in Optochiasmatic Cavernous Hemangioma Causing Visual Diminution: A Case Report

“…Other cases of cavernous angioma in the optic nerve, in which no apoplexy occurred, have been reported. 7,9 Typically, MRI scans demonstrate focal suprasellar lesions, with heterogeneous signal intensity, involving the optic pathways. Hyperintense areas suggest recent hemorrhage.…”