Dural-based giant cavernous hemangioma mimicking a meningioma: Lessons learnt

Cavernous malformations are usually parenchymal lesions developing as an offset of venous anomalies. Dural-based cavernous malformations are a rare clinical entity affecting the central nervous system, usually mimicking a meningioma. The words 'cavernomas' and 'cavernous hemangiomas' have been used interchangeably in the literature based on histopathological findings. However, they are quite distinct, not just morphologically but also in a host of other arenas [Table 1].{Table 1}A 26-year old male patient presented with a history of two episodes of partial seizures with secondary generalization. On examination, he had papilledema with no focal neurological deficits. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain, plain and contrast, showed a hyperdense mass lesion of size measuring 6 × 4.9 × 4.8 cm involving the left temporoparietal region with surrounding edema, midline shift, and mass effect [Figure 1]a.{Figure 1}