Surgical approaches to cavernous haemangiomas of the orbit

Brusati, R.; Goisis, M.; Biglioli, F.; M.Guareschi,; Nucci, P.; Gianni, A.B.; Miglior, S.

doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2006.11.018

« Previous Next »British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 45, Issue 6 , Pages 457-462, September 2007

Surgical approaches to cavernous haemangiomas of the orbit

R. Brusati
- Maxillofacial Department, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano University, Italy
M. Goisis
- Ophthalmology Department, Policlinico di Monza, Milano Bicocca University, Italy
- Maxillofacial Department, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi, Milano University, Italy
- Corresponding author at: Clinica Oculistica, Università degli Studi Milano-Bicocca, Via Amati 111, 20052 Monza, Italy. Tel.: +39 0392810614; fax: +39 028900225.
F. Biglioli
- Maxillofacial Department, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano University, Italy
M.Guareschi
- Ophthalmology Department, Policlinico di Monza, Milano Bicocca University, Italy
P. Nucci
- Ophthalmology Department, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano University, Italy
A.B. Gianni
- Maxillofacial Department, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi, Milano University, Italy
S. Miglior
- Ophthalmology Department, Policlinico di Monza, Milano Bicocca University, Italy

Accepted 23 November 2006. published online 11 January 2007.

Abstract

Cavernous haemangiomas are the most common orbital masses and the second most common cause of unilateral proptosis after thyroid ophthalmopathy.

We retrospectively analysed 19 patients with retrobulbar cavernous haemangiomas, 9 of whom had lateral orbitotomy to remove retrobulbar cavernous haemangiomas located superior (n=4), inferior (n=2) or lateral (n=3) to the optic nerve. Seven patients had lateral orbitotomy together with an anterior medial approach to gain access to retrobulbar cavernous haemangiomas located medially to the optic nerve in the posterior half of the orbit. An anterior approach was used in 3 patient with an anteriorly located cavernous haemangioma.