Abstract
Three cases of extracerebral cavernous hemangioma in the middle cranial fossa are reported. Case 1 was a 25-year-old man who had complaints of left orbital pain and decreased visual acuity. An extradural tumor with a highly hemorrhagic tendency was biopsied. Case 2 was a 51-year-old man who had a complaint of decreased visual acuity in the right eye. He was diagnosed as having an extradural cavernous hemangioma fed by the right meningohypophyseal trunk. The tumor was totally removed with the aid of a CO2 laser. Case 3 was a 44-year-old woman who had amenorrhea, bilateral decreased visual acuity, left temporal hemianopsia, and left oculomotor nerve palsy. The neuroradiological diagnosis was cavernous hemangioma fed by the middle meningeal artery and meningohypophyseal trunk, and the tumor was partially removed. The residual tumor was significantly decreased in size by radiation therapy.
35 reported cases of extracerebral cavernous hemangioma in the middle cranial fossa are summarized. There is female preponderance and racial dominancy by Orientals. The neurological deficits are very closely related to the tumor locations. The bony erosion of the sella turcica and the tumor stain of the cerebral angiogram as well as computerized tomography scan with contrast material in terms of the neuroradiological diagnosis are stressed. Preoperative irradiation is recommended in order to reduce the tumor size and avoid unexpected intraoperative bleeding.
