Vascular malformation of the sphenoid and temporal bone: A diagnostic dilemma

Am J Otolaryngol. 2019 Mar-Apr;40(2):334-336. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2018.09.013. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

Abstract

We present a rare case of a vascular anomaly of the sphenoid and temporal bones causing an expandable mass of the temporal region with dependent patient positioning and characteristic osseous changes on imaging. Initial diagnosis considerations included multiple myeloma (MM), fibrous dysplasia (FD), Paget's disease, lymphoma, meningoencephalocele (MEC), and vascular malformation (VaM). VaMs of the head and neck are rare and typically arise in the mandible and maxilla. However, this case demonstrates a unique finding of a VaM of the sphenoid and temporal bones with important radiological features to distinguish the diagnosis of vascular anomaly from other etiologies.

Keywords: Sphenoid bone; Temporal bone; Vascular malformation of head; Venoarterioal maloformation of head; Venous malformation of skull.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandible / blood supply
  • Maxilla / blood supply
  • Patient Positioning
  • Sphenoid Bone / blood supply*
  • Sphenoid Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Temporal Bone / blood supply*
  • Temporal Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging*