Cavernous Hemangioma of the Nasal Cavity

A 22 year old six month pregnant female presented with right eye tearing, proptosis and nasal congestion. CT revealed a large right nasal cavity mass with involvement of the ethmoids, right maxillary sinus, lamina papyracea, cribriform plate and nasal septum. There was significant remodeling of the right cribriform plate with mild extra-axial intracranial and mild intraorbital extension. Transnasal endoscopic excision confirming the diagnosis of cavernous hemangioma of the nasal cavity. Hemangiomas are benign slow-growing vascular neoplasms classified as capillary, cavernous or mixed. Hemangiomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are very rare with only a few reported cases. The occurrence and growth of these lesions during pregnancy may be related to increased blood volume or hormonal factors. The most common therapeutic option is complete surgical resection via transnasal endoscopic approach. Pre-operative embolization may be utilized in some cases to decrease the risk of intraoperative bleeding.