Intraosseous Cavernous Hemangioma: A Rare Type of Cranial Tumor

Background: Cavernous hemangiomas are benign tumor of vascular origin, typically arising in the vertebral body. Its presence in the skull is exceedingly rare, with only a few cases being reported worldwide. The most common initial clinical manifestation was local growth or swelling, followed by a headache. Radiographically, PICHs represented osteolytic, intradiploic masses, which in many cases displayed trabeculations, leading to the so-called "honeycomb" or "starburst" pattern the first description of this type of tumor was in 1845 by Toynbee. A review of the literature reveals less than 100 published cases and a growing trend every year. Total surgical excision is the treatment of choice, and the prognosis after complete excision is excellent, with a recurrence usually rare.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 57-year-old patient with a painless tumor of the left frontal bone, of slow growth and osteolytic characteristics from the neuro-radiological point of view. The lesion was excised en bloc by craniectomy, followed by cranioplasty. The anatomopathological diagnosis was intraosseous cavernous hemangioma.

Conclusions: Despite its low frequency, the diagnosis of intraosseous cavernous hemangioma should be considered in the presence of a slow-growing cranial tumor, with solid and painless characteristics, and its osteolytic nature confirmed by radiology. The treatment of choice consists in the complete resection of the lesion with resolution of the problem and with very low relapses. In very large tumors, treatment by prior embolization should be considered.