[Cavernous hemangioma of the orbit: diagnosis and management]

The cavernous hemangioma (or angioma) of the orbit (HCO) is a benign, encapsulated venous malformation and the most common primary lesion of the orbit in adults. It occurs more often in women. These lesions can cause a unilateral proptosis (exophthalmos), optic nerve damage and other signs of orbital pathology, with varying degrees of visual impairment.When an HCO is suspected, ultrasound, scanner or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are a valuable aid to its definitive diagnosis. When HCO is symptomatic, multidisciplinary surgical management by a trained specialist in orbital surgery should be considered.This article aims to present the surgical management of HCO. Topographic classifications and surgical approaches are also discussed.