Cavernous Hemangioma

Definition

Cavernous hemangiomas are the most common intraorbital tumors found in adults. These benign, vascular lesions are slow growing and can manifest as a painless, progressively proptotic eye. Most of these tumefactions are exceedingly unilateral. Bilateral cases have been reported but are rare. Hemangiomas, both deep and superficial, undergo a rapid growth phase in which the volume and size increase rapidly. This phase is followed by a rest phase, in which the hemangioma changes very little, and an involutional phase in which the hemangioma begins to disappear. About 5% of the vascular malformations diagnosed by angiography and histologically verified. It usually affect between ages of 30 to 50. It is also seen in children and elderly patients. Male are more affected. Spontaneous hemorrhage, may be recurrent or even fatal, is common. Cortical and subcortical hemangiomas are specifically related to seizures.

Causes

1. A cavernous hemangioma is the most common non-cancerous tumor of the liver. It is believed to be a congenital defect.
2. It is most common in between the ages of 30 to 50. Although it can also seen in children and elderly patients.
3. 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.
4. Covernous hemangioma may be associated with other rare syndromes. Additional studies may be done to determine if any of these syndromes are present.

Symptoms

1. Cavernous hemangiomas usually are small, measuring only a quarter inch in diameter, but they can be several inches in diameter or even larger.
2. Pain, nausea, or enlargement of the liver can occur.
3. A red to reddish-purple raised lesion on the skin.
4. It may also a possibility that a massive, raised tumor with blood vessels.
5. Clinical symptoms of this disease include recurrent headaches, focal neurological deficits, hemorrhagic stroke, and seizures.
6. Patients can have severe symptoms like seizures, headaches, paralysis, bleeding in the brain, and even death.
7. Babies with benign infantile hemangioendothelioma may have an abdominal mass, anemia, and signs of heart failure.
8. It May cause optic nerve compression which can lead to visual loss, gaze-evoked amaurosis, or optic nerve swelling.

Treatment

1. Most cavernous hemangiomas remain stable throughout a patient's life and cause no visual compromise.
2. 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.
3. Steroids through mouth or through injection should be taken to reduce or sometimes to remove your cavernous hemangioma.
4. Sometimes injection is applied on lesions directly. It can remove hemangioma but it is painful.