Calvarial hemangiomas: report of two cases and review of the literature

Surg Neurol. 2001 Jan;55(1):63-7; discussion 67. doi: 10.1016/s0090-3019(00)00268-8.

Abstract

Background: Primary hemangiomas of the bone are uncommon tumors, accounting for less than 1.0% of all bone neoplasms. These tumors are mostly found in vertebral bodies. Hemangiomas are rarely seen in the calvarium, where their frequency is 0.2% of all bone neoplasms. Because of their infrequent appearance in the skull, vague symptoms, and absence of prototypical radiological findings, these tumors can be missed in many cases or may be misinterpreted as more ominous lesions like multiple myeloma or osteosarcoma.

Case description: We report two cases of calvarial hemangiomas: one with a single mass on the right sphenoid wing, and another with two similar lesions on the right occipital and left parietal bones. The diagnoses could be established only by histopathologic analysis.

Conclusion: Histopathologic confirmation of the tumor is the definitive method for diagnosis of intraosseous hemangiomas. Radiological findings are not always characteristic for calvarial hemangiomas. Due to possible complications and the possibility of effective treatment, this lesion should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of skull lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hemangioma / diagnosis
  • Hemangioma / pathology
  • Hemangioma / surgery*
  • Hemangioma, Capillary / diagnosis
  • Hemangioma, Capillary / pathology
  • Hemangioma, Capillary / surgery
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / diagnosis
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / pathology
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Skull / pathology
  • Skull / surgery*
  • Skull Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skull Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skull Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed