Cavernous Angioma Mimicking Meningioma

J Craniofac Surg. 2019 May/Jun;30(3):e218-e220. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000005177.

Abstract

The authors present a rare case of cavernous angioma mimicking a meningioma in a 58-year-old man who presented with a headache and dizziness. There were no neurological deficits or other neurological symptoms or signs. An extra-axial mass lesion thought to be associated with diffusely well-enhanced falx in the postcontrast sections was noted in the posterior interhemispheric fissure near the posterior part of the corpus callosum splenium. Extra-axial cavernous angiomas (cavernomas) are extremely rare lesions. They most commonly occur in the parenchyma but have been occasionally reported to arise from the dura matter. Dural cavernous angiomas arise from dural sinuses, falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, cranial base dura, or internal auditory canal dura and convexity. Parenchymal cavernous angiomas classically have a ring of hemosiderin surrounding the lesions observed on magnetic resonance imaging, but dural cavernous angiomas do not display the same magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and occasionally exhibit a dural tail sign due to which they can often be misdiagnosed as meningiomas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms* / complications
  • Brain Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms* / physiopathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dizziness
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous* / complications
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous* / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningioma
  • Middle Aged