Recurrent orbital cavernous hemangioma due to overlooked multiple tumors

ABSTRACT

To report late recurrence of orbital cavernous hemangioma in a patient ten years after complete resection of the primary tumor. A 32-year-old woman with a history of progressive visual loss and proptosis underwent lateral orbitotomy for resection of a large cavernous hemangioma. Ten years later, proptosis recurred and the patient developed progressive ocular deviation. Imaging studies were in favor of a recurrent cavernous hemangioma and the tumor was excised via the previous incision site. Reassessment of previous orbital images suggested the presence of two separate tumors, only one of which had been excised at the time of initial surgery. Recurrent orbital cavernous hemangioma may follow incomplete excision of multiple orbital lesions with gradual growth of unidentified residual tumors. Accordingly, when an encapsulated cavernous hemangioma is removed, exploration is recommended to rule out multiple lesions.