Foraminal Epidural Extra Osseous Cavernous Hemangioma of the Cervical Spine

Abstract

A case report of purely epidural foraminal cervical cavernous angioma assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and diagnosed at pathologic study. To illustrate a rare cause of cervical foraminal mass mimicking a schwannoma. Several cases of epidural cavernous angioma have been reported. A purely epidural cavernous angioma in a cervical foramen has never been reported in the literature. A 36-year-old man sought treatment for acute weakness in his right upper limb with radicular distribution. On magnetic resonance images, the lesion appeared as a foraminal mass with no bone invasion or hematic components. It enhanced after intravenous administration of Gadolinium. Pathologic study after surgery showed a typical cavernous angioma. The patient improved slightly after surgery. Clinical and radiologic presentation could be confusing in a purely foraminal epidural cervical cavernous hemangioma. Cavernous hemangioma must be known as a differential diagnosis of a foraminal schwannoma. Diagnosis of cavernous angioma is made easily on pathologic examination.