Cavernous Hemangioma

Definition

Cavernous hemangioma is the common benign orbital tumor found in adults. The tumor usually rests inside the extraocular muscle cone. Cavernous hemangioma is nothing but a type of hemangioma composed of blood-filled "lakes" and channels. It contains stagnant blood. A cavernous hemangioma may diminish in size following trauma, bleeding or ulceration but it rarely disappears on its own. Small cavernous hemangiomas situated on the surface of the body may be removed or treated by electrocoagulation. Surgery is usually needed if a cavernous hemangioma causes increased growth of an extremity.

Cavernous hemangiomas are not static lesions and are believed to enlarge due to recurrent hemorrhage into the lesion. This results in gradual enlargement of the lesion and resulting symptoms due to mass effect. In one series, the incidence of symptomatic hemorrhage was 1.1% per lesion per year.

Causes of Cavernous Hemangioma

1. Non-cancerous tumor has been linked to high rates of heart failure and death in infants. Infants are usually diagnosed by the time they are 6 months old.
2. Covernous hemangioma may be associated with other rare syndromes. Additional studies may be done to determine if any of these syndromes are present.
3. A cavernous hemangioma is the most common non-cancerous tumor of the liver. It is believed to be a congenital defect.
4. It is most common in between the ages of 30 to 50. Although it can also seen in children and elderly patients.

Symptoms of Cavernous Hemangioma

• Low flow vascular lesion.
• CT scan shows well-circumscribed, intraconal, round mass without invasion into adjacent soft tissue and bone.
• Unilateral, painless proptosis.
• ECHO shows intraconal mass.
• Vision not usually affected unless mass is pushing on the eye.
• May cause optic nerve compression leading to visual loss, gaze-evoked amaurosis, or optic nerve swelling.

Treatment of Cavernous Hemangioma

1. Sometimes injection is applied on lesions directly. It can remove hemangioma but it is painful.
2. Most cavernous hemangiomas remain stable throughout a patient's life and cause no visual compromise.
3. Surgical excision should only be considered for superficial small lesions. Attempts to excise large venous malformations usually cause significant morbidity and also cause significant scar formation.
4. Steroids through mouth or through injection should be taken to reduce or sometimes to remove your cavernous hemangioma.