Cavernous hemangioma: a rare case report in the maxillary sinus.

INTRODUCTION AND

IMPORTANCE

Cavernous hemangiomas are rare vascular malformations of the maxillary sinus that present diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas.

CASE PRESENTATION: This case report presents a 52-year-old woman with a slowly enlarging, painless swelling over the right infra-nasal region, leading to gross facial deformation. Imaging studies revealed a large, diffuse radiopaque mass in the upper right posterior maxilla, with a differential diagnosis favoring fibrous dysplasia. The patient underwent surgical excision via hemimaxillectomy under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed a cavernous hemangioma. No perceptible aesthetic sequelae or recurrence was observed at follow-up months after treatment.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION: In the maxillofacial area, it is a rare entity, with the intraosseous type being even rarer, accounting for less than 1% of all bony tumors. The mandible is the most commonly affected site, accounting for approximately two-third hemangiomas of the jaw. The clinical manifestations of maxillary cavernous hemangiomas are highly variable and often nonspecific, making diagnosis challenging.

CONCLUSION

Cavernous hemangiomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of maxillary sinus lesions. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice and results in an excellent prognosis with low recurrence rates.