Symptomatic cavernous hemangioma of the occipital condyle treated with methacrylate embolization

Abstract BACKGROUND Cavernous hemangiomas of the cranial base are rare tumors. No case of symptomatic intraosseous angioma affecting the occipital condyle has been reported. This particular case was treated with surgical embolization using acrylic resin. CASE DESCRIPTION A 20-year-old man with a 1-year history of neck pain and torticollis was referred to our hospital. Neuroradiological examination revealed the typical picture of an intraosseous cavernous hemangioma located in the right occipital condyle. The patient was operated through a suboccipital approach. Biopsy and direct embolization with methacrylate was performed. The definitive pathological diagnosis confirms the neuro-radiological suspicion of intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. The follow-up of the patient (4 years) revealed no recurrence of pain or abnormal posture. CONCLUSIONS A rare case of cranial base cavernous hemangioma is reported. Methacrylate embolization can be a good option for the treatment of this uncommon lesion.