Optic nerve haemangioblastoma mimicking a planum sphenoidale meningioma

Abstract

Haemangioblastomas are rarely seen in the suprasellar region, arising from the optic apparatus or pituitary stalk, mimicking meningiomas on the preoperative MRI scan. They may be suspected in the presence of large flow voids and the absence of a dural tail. Intraoperatively, the extreme vascularity and compressibility of the tumour with no dural attachment should alert the surgeon to the diagnosis. A complete resection with preservation of vision may be successfully attempted because of the well-demarcated tumour-nerve interface.

Key words:

• Haemangioblastoma
• optic nerve
• Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome
• suprasellar meningioma