Endoscopic transorbital approach for orbital cavernous hemangioma: A case series

Orbital cavernous hemangiomas (OCH) are the most common benign orbital tumors, often presenting with proptosis. The endoscopic transorbital approach (ETOA) is increasingly being utilized for the treatment of OCH, offering minimal invasiveness and superior cosmetic outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes of ETOA for OCH.

A retrospective cohort of eight patients who underwent ETOA for OCH between 2020 and 2024 at the Neurosurgical Departments of Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo were recorded. Preoperative evaluations included clinical symptoms, radiological assessments, and histology. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, operative time, extent of resection (EOR), complications, and follow-up outcomes were analyzed.

The study included eight patients (mean age 55.9 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.7. All patients presented with proptosis, and 87.5% of lesions were intraconal. Gross Total Resection (GTR) was achieved in 87.5% cases (7/8), with an average operative time of 143.6 min. 37.5% of patients experienced transient postoperative complications, including diplopia (25%) and supraorbital neuralgia (12.5%), but no permanent deficits. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 32 months, with no cases of recurrence observed.

ETOA appears safe and effective technique for the treatment of orbital cavernous hemangiomas, achieving high rates of GTR and low complication rates in the present series. The approach may also offer favorable cosmetic outcomes and short hospitalization times. Nonetheless, further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up are needed before drawing definitive conclusions.