Cavernous hemangiomas of the orbit: value of CT, angiography, and phlebography

Neuroradiologic studies performed in 18 cases of surgically verified intraorbital cavernous hemangioma are reported. Skull films usually showed enlargement of the orbit and evidence of soft-tissue mass. Phlebography rarely demonstrated filling of the cavernous hemangioma or enlarged draining veins. On angiography, in addition to displacement of vessels, pooling of contrast medium in the cavities of the hemangioma was observed in more than half the cases. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a rounded, hyperdense, enhancing lesion usually in the superior segment of the intraconal space. Although CT may be sufficient for planning the surgical approach, in most cases a combination of CT and angiography will give better, more specific preoperative diagnosis.