Hemangioendothelioma of the cavernous sinus: case report.

Abstract

Hemangioendothelioma is an uncommon vascular neoplasm, and its intracranial occurrence is extremely rare. The occurrence of such a tumor within the cavernous sinus has not been reported previously. We report a 36-year-old woman who presented with right-sided retro-orbital pain and diplopia caused by a right sixth nerve paresis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion within the right inferior cavernous sinus. The tumor was excised completely via an orbitozygomatic approach. Hemangioendothelioma is a rare, indolent vascular tumor, and its characteristics are reviewed. The need for complete excision is emphasized, and the advantages of the orbitozygomatic approach for the removal of tumors of the cavernous sinus is discussed.