A case of cerebellar capillary hemangioma with multiple cysts.

Intracranial capillary hemangiomas are very rare, though several spinal capillary hemangiomas have recently been reported. We report here a case of intracranial capillary hemangioma with multiple cysts and review the current literature of similar cases. A 4-month-old girl was referred to our hospital for treatment of hydrocephalus and a cerebellar mass lesion. She presented with hemangiomas distributed widely over the body, as well as disseminated hemangiomas in the pleura, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys and vagina. Pathological examination of the specimen from the vagina confirmed the diagnosis of a capillary hemangioma made at another hospital. Radiological examination of the brain revealed a cystic mass lesion in the left cerebellar hemisphere with subsequent obstructive hydrocephalus. The cysts extended upward into the bilateral ventricle. Following neuroendoscopic fenestration of the cysts, resection of the left cerebellar mass was performed. Histological examination of the lesion demonstrated similarly sized capillaries, and the pathological diagnosis was confirmed as capillary hemangioma. There was no recurrence postoperatively. Our patient was treated successfully by surgical resection and neuroendoscopic procedures. Surgical intervention may therefore be indicated in intracranial capillary hemangiomas. 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel