Bilateral traumatic avulsion of abducens nerve.

DISCUSSION Cavernoma is a benign tumor and it is considered a dysplasia of the vessels-forming mesoderm. Cavernous hemangiomas in the vertebral, extradural, intradural extramedullary and intramedullary spaces are responsible for 3 to 16% of spinal vascular anomalies. Extradural cavernous hemangioma represent 4% of all spinal epidural lesions. Modern diagnostic imaging techniques are increasing the number of diagnosis and its frequency may be more than previously reported in the medical literature. There are four clinical syndromes described: slow and progressive spinal cord syndrome, which is the most common form; acute spinal cord syndrome; back pain; and radiculopathy. Imaging diagnostic exams such as spine X-rays, myelography, CT and MRI are important for evaluating the relationship of the lesion with the surrounding anatomic structures. Currently, MRI is the modality of choice. The treatment for these lesions is total removal of the tumor with microsurgical technique. REFERENCES 1. Hatiboglu MA, Iplikcioglu AC, Ozcan D. Epidural spinal cavernous hemangioma-case Report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2006;46:455-458. 2. Goyal A, Singh AK, Gupta V, Tatke M. Spinal epidural cavernous haemangioma:a case report and review of literature. Spinal Cord 2002;40: 200-202. 3. Zevgaridis D, Buttner A, Weis S, Hamburger C, Reulen HJ. Spinal epidural cavernous hemangiomas. Report of three cases and review of the literature. J Neurosurg 1988;88:903-908. 4. Saringer W, Nobauer I, Haberler C, Ungersbock K. Extraforaminal, thoracic, epidural cavernous hemangioma:case report with analysis of magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and review of the literature. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2001;43:1293-1297. 5. Santoro A, Piccirilli M, Bristot R, Norcia V, Salvati M, Delfini R. Extradural spinal cavernous angiomas: report of seven cases. Neurosurg Rev 2005;28: 313-319.