Intraosseous hemangioma of the lateral orbital wall

Abstract

Purpose: To report the clinical and radiologic features of two patients with intraosseous orbital hemangiomas of the lateral wall.

Methods: Case reports and literature review.

Results: The first patient presented with an indolent mass over the lateral orbital rim. Intraosseous hemangioma was not considered in the differential diagnosis. A biopsy specimen was taken from the tumor, which caused significant bleeding. After biopsy, an orbital CT scan revealed a lesion involving the left lateral orbital rim and soft tissue of the temporal fossa. The rim was grossly enlarged, with several cavities of different sizes. The tumor of the second patient was located more posteriorly and extended into the roof. The patient complained of parietal headache, epiphora, and local pain. A CT scan revealed a round, lytic lesion involving the greater sphenoid wing and frontal bone. The tumor was approached through a coronal flap and resected en bloc without problems.

Conclusions: The diagnosis of intraosseous hemangioma can be difficult, especially when tumors are located in the anterior part of the lateral wall. In this location, intraosseous hemangiomas tend to induce few symptoms and thus have a higher likelihood of biopsy being performed before a correct diagnosis. A CT scan with bone windows can play a beneficial role in the evaluation of lytic bone lesions in intraosseous hemangioma.