Multifocal cavernous hemangioma of the jugular foramen: a rare skull base vascular malformation

J Neurosurg. 2018 Jul 6;131(1):109-113. doi: 10.3171/2018.1.JNS172934. Print 2019 Jul 1.

Abstract

Jugular foramen cavernous hemangiomas are extremely rare vascular malformations, and, to the best of the authors' knowledge, their occurrence as multifocal lesions involving both intra- and extracranial compartments has never been reported before. Here, the authors describe the case of a 60-year-old woman with a complex multifocal jugular foramen cavernous hemangioma. The patient presented with signs and symptoms concerning for jugular foramen syndrome, as well as a right neck mass. Surgical extirpation of the lesion was achieved by a multidisciplinary team via a right infratemporal fossa approach (Fisch type A) with concurrent high neck dissection and a closure buttressed with an autologous fat graft and a temporoparietal fascial flap. Although rare, cavernous hemangiomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of jugular foramen masses.

Keywords: SCM = sternocleidomastoid muscle; cavernoma; cavernous angioma; cavernous hemangioma; infratemporal approach; jugular foramen; multifocal; skull base; vascular disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports