[Eight cases of cavernous hemangioma of the optic chiasm]

To report the clinical characteristics, neuto-imaging and prognosis of cavernous hemangioma of the optic chiasm.

Retrospective data analysis was conducted in 8 patients from Beijing Tongren Hospital and Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Patients' clinical characteristics, neuroimaging and prognosis were assessed.

There were eight patients aging from 16-58 years old including 3 females and 5 males. The median age was 39.5 years. From the time of onset to diagnosis, the shortest time was 25 days and the longest was 2 years and 4 months. Clinical characteristics of 8 cases were analyzed. Among 8 cases, 3 patients had acute course, 3 patient had chronic course with acute exacerbation and 2 patients had chronic course. All patients presented with decreased visual acuity and/or visual field defect and 3 cases had headache. The most common initial manifestation was decreased visual acuity and/or visual field defect (4 cases). Only 4 cases were diagnosed cavernous hemangioma of the optic chiasm before surgery. The hemangioma was total resected in 6 patients and other two got partly removed. Visual function was improved in 4 cases after surgery. MRI showed mixed signal.

All patients presented decreased visual acuity and/or visual field defect, often accompanied with headache. It can be misdiagnosed at early stage. MRI may be helpful to the diagnosis. Complete resection at early stage may improve the visual function.