Diffuse Cavernous Hemangioma of the Rectum: Report of a Case

Cavernous hemangioma of the rectum (CHR) is an uncommon benign vascular lesion, which mainly affects young adults. The rectosigmoid area is the most common site of cavernous hemangioma in the gastrointestinal tract. CHR is often misdiagnosed due to a lack of knowledge of the clinical features. We report a case of CHR, focusing on the clinical features, diagnostic procedures used, and treatments given. This patient was finally treated effectively with abdominoperineal resection. Thorough preoperative imaging is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate both the site and extent of the hemangioma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides information about the dimensions of the tumor and involvement of the adjacent structures with its high resolution and multiplanar capability, without the use of contrast medium. Moreover, endorectal surface coil MRI depicts the five separate layers of the bowel wall and internal and external sphincter more clearly than the conventional body coil MRI. Received: December 26, 2001 / Accepted: May 7, 2002 Reprint requests to: M. Watanabe     

Primary Cavernous Hemangioma of the Glans Penis: Rare Case Report with a Review of the Literature

Hemangiomas of the urinary tract are rare lesions, and those of the glans penis are even rarer. A 23-year-old man with a hemangioma of the glans penis treated successfully with intralesional sclerotherapy is presented. Other options for the management of this disorder are discussed.     

Extra-Axial Cavernous Hemangioma: Two Case Reports

Two patients with extra-axial cavernous hemangioma who presented with headache and oculovisual disturbances were investigated with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The lesions masqueraded as basal meningioma, but this diagnosis was not supported by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in one patient. Cerebral angiography with embolization was indicated in one patient, but embolization was not justified in the other. Both patients underwent a pterional craniotomy. The lesions were extradural and highly vascular, necessitating excessive transfusion in one patient in whom gross total resection was achieved, and precluding satisfactory removal in the other. There was no mortality. Transient ophthalmoplegia, the only complication in one patient, was due to surgical manipulation of the cavernous sinus; it resolved progressively over 3 months. Extra-axial skull base cavernous hemangiomas are distinct entities with clinical and radiological characteristics that differ from those of intraparenchymal cavernous malformations. They can mimic meningiomas or pituitary tumors. In some cases, magnetic resonance spectroscopy may narrow the differential diagnoses. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice, facilitated by preoperative embolization to reduce intraoperative bleeding and by the application of the principles of skull base surgery. Fractionated radiotherapy is an alternative in partial or difficult resections and in high-risk and elderly patients.     

Xanthogranuloma of the Anterior Skull Base: A Case Report

A case of a xanthogranuloma arising in the anterior skull base involving the bone of the left orbital roof, the dura mater, and the periorbit is presented. The lesion was completely removed by a supraorbital “eyebrow” skin incision using frameless stereotactic image guidance. A reconstruction of the orbital roof was performed using a titanium mesh graft. The neuropathological investigation revealed all the characteristics of a xanthogranuloma. Intracranially, xanthogranulomas appear as rare tumors of the dura or choroid plexus, usually arising in association with histocytosis X or familial hyperlipoproteinemia. One case not associated with these diseases is discussed.     

A Case of Adrenal Cavernous Hemangioma

Adrenal hemangiomas are rare tumor. Only 29 surgical cases have been reported. Although rare, adrenal hemangiomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of adrenal neoplasms. We report an additional case of adrenal hemangioma that was removed surgically, and the pertinent literature is reviewed.     

Metastatic Alveolar Soft-Part Sarcoma of the Intracranial Skull Base: Case Report

A patient with an intracranial skull base alveolar soft-part sarcoma, thought on preoperative imaging to be a meningioma, is presented. The mass was removed and identified by pathological evaluation to be an alveolar soft-part sarcoma. Postoperative investigation revealed widespread systemic disease. The histologic and clinical characteristics of this unusual tumor and the implications for prognosis and treatment are discussed.     

Skull Base Neurocytoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature of Extraventricular Neurocytomas

We report a rare skull base neurocytoma. A 44-year-old female with a history of focal seizure and progressive right-sided weakness sought treatment at an outside institution, where she underwent total resection of a "left medial sphenoid wing paraganglioma" in 1984. In 1995 after experiencing intense left-sided headaches for 3 weeks, the patient presented to our institution. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large local recurrence. She had deficits dating to her initial surgery, including moderate right-sided hemiparesis, complete left ophthalmoplegia, and left facial numbness.The patient underwent a craniotomy with extensive removal of the involved sphenoid bone and a subtotal resection of the tumor. Neurocytoma was diagnosed based on strong immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin and no reactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Postoperatively, her headaches resolved completely and her neurologic status remained at baseline. The residual tumor was treated with radiation therapy. After 5 years, she remains clinically and radiographically stable.Although typically located adjacent to the foramen of Monro, neurocytomas have now been reported in almost every subcompartment of the craniospinal axis. Finding neurocytomas in extraventricular locations may require revisiting the current theory that subependymal progenitor cells are the cells of origin for these tumors.     

Giant Adrenal Hemangioma: a Case Report

Although adrenal masses are relatively common, hemangiomas occurring in adrenal glands are rare. This entity creates problems in the differential diagnosis. We report a patient with a giant cavernous hemangioma with a diameter of 13 cm, which was pre-operatively diagnosed as an adenoma or a malignant tumour. Clues to the correct diagnosis and therapeutic alternatives are discussed in the context of the available literature.     

An Unusually Large Cavernous Hemangioma of Retropharyngeal Space: A Rare Case

Hemangiomas rarely occur in the retropharyngeal space with only several cases reported in the current literature. This article reports the hemangiomas of retropharyngeal space. A 55-year-old woman was referred to our institution for dysphagia. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck and spine revealed a large, well-circumscribed, dense mass that extended from the retropharyngeal space to the sides of the neck. Patient underwent direct excision of the lesion. Complete regression of symptoms was observed after surgery, with no lesions found on routine 24-month follow-up. Although hemangiomas are relatively common in the head and neck, those that originate in the retropharyngeal space are very rarely observed. These benign tumors have the potential to compress adjacent tissues or organs and thereby produce associated symptoms like dysphagia and dyspnea. We present the reported case of larger hemangiomas of the retropharyngeal space and detail their management.Key words: Retropharyngeal space, Cavernous hemangioma, High aerodigestive way compressionHemangiomas occur in any tissue with vascular component including skin, mucosa, muscles, glands, and bones, but the head and neck region is the most common location (60%).¹ However, hemangiomas of the retropharyngeal space are extremely rare in the English literature, with only 2 cases be reported to date.^2,3 Hemangiomas histopathologically have been divided into 3 types: capillary, cavernous, and mixed capillary.⁴ We present here a case of cavernous hemangiomas occurring in the retropharyngeal space.     

Parapharyngeal Lipoma Extending to Skull Base: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Lipomas in the head and neck region usually occur in the immediate subcutaneous tissue. They are extremely rare in the parapharyngeal space. A rare case of a right parapharyngeal space lipoma extending to skull base in an 18-year-old male is reported. The literature is reviewed and the characteristics of disease are discussed.     

肝海绵状血管瘤108例临床分析

目的探讨肝海绵状血管瘤临床特点及手术治疗的方法与疗效。方法回顾性分析108例肝海绵状血管瘤患者的临床资料,其中34例远离肝门,74例邻近肝门,行肝血管瘤包膜外剥除术34例;行肝切除术74例。74例邻近肝门者中邻近第一肝门30例,第二肝门22例,第三肝门15例,邻近3个肝门者7例。结果远离肝门组术中平均出血量(251.2±112.7)ml,平均阻断时间(20.3±11.8)min,术后发生出血1例(2.9%),胸水2例(5.9%),其临床效果明显优于邻近肝门组(P<0.05或P<0.01),后者的术中出血量为(631.3±233.5)min,平均阻断时间(45.5±25.3)ml,术后出血6例(8.1%),胸水11例(14.9%),胆漏3例(4.1%)。7例邻近第一、二、三肝门的患者,其瘤体直径达(13.5±5.4)cm,术中平均阻断肝门时间(85.4±28.5)min,术中出血量达(1 507.8±228.1)ml,与其他邻近第一肝门、第二肝门及第三肝门三组分别比较,差异显著(P<0.05)。结论手术治疗肝海绵状血管瘤是安全可行的。手术方式首选肝血管瘤包膜外剥离术,对瘤体位于肝实质并累及肝门者可行肝叶或半肝切除术。     

Chondrosarcoma of the Skull Base: Report of Six Cases

Five patients with chondrosarcoma, grade I or II, and one with mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the skull base were treated at our clinic between 1967 and 1991. The patients were three men and three women who ranged in age from 21 to 39 years. The presenting symptoms were diplopia, decreased visual acuity, or symptoms of involvement of VIIIth and lower cranial nerves. The duration of the symptoms ranged from 18 months to 14 years. A plain skull x-ray and tomography of the skull, computed tomographic (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance images (MRI) revealed a calcified mass. Angiograms showed an occlusion of the arteries or venous sinuses, or both, in four patients, and a distinct tumor stain in one. The tumors were subtotally removed in all six cases. Two patients received postoperative irradiation for the residual tumor. In one patient, extraocular movement was compromised postoperatively, although in the other five patients there was no aggravation of the neurologic signs. Follow-up CT scans and MRI demonstrated no recurrent tumors nor any enlargement of residual tumors. Based on these findings, we advocate aggressive surgical removal of these tumors, which should be augmented by radiation therapy if the postoperative CT scans or MRI reveal residual tumors.