Symptomatic calvarial cavernous hemangioma: presurgical confirmation by scintigraphy

J Radiol Case Rep. 2009;3(8):25-9. doi: 10.3941/jrcr.v3i8.278. Epub 2009 Aug 1.

Abstract

Hemangiomas are rare tumors in the calvarium and represent 2% of osseous calvarial lesions. Dynamic Tc-99m RBC blood pool scintigraphy has a high positive predictive value for cavernous hemangiomas of the liver. This scintigraphic technique can be used for identifying cavernous hemangiomas at other anatomic sites. We present a case in which a tagged RBC blood pool scan was used for further characterizing a symptomatic calvarial lesion as a cavernous hemangioma. This avoided an unnecessary workup for metastatic disease and was valuable in surgical planning for anticipated increased intra-operative blood loss. Histological confirmation of a cavernous hemangioma was made after surgical resection.

Keywords: Calvarial cavernous hemangioma; tagged RBC scintigraphy.