Endoscopic endonasal resection of two rare cases of hemangiopericytomas invading the cavernous sinus and literature review

Abstract

Hemangiopericytomas (HPCs) invading the cavernous sinus (CS) are extremely rare invasive tumors that have a great propensity for local recurrence. To date, only eight cases have been reported in the literature. Owing to the abundant vascular supply of HPCs, intracavernous bleeding and important blood vessels and nerves passing through the CS, it is very difficult and challenging for neurosurgeons to completely resect HPCs. Here, we report two cases of HPCs invading the CS and introduce their clinical manifestations, imaging findings, surgical approaches and histopathological features in detail. We have implemented the surgery by the endoscopic transpterygoid transcavernous approach (ETPTCa) for the two patients, and one patient has undergone gross total resection (GTR) and another has undergone subtotal resection (STR) and postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The ETPTCa may serve as a viable option to facilitate HPCs resection. Radiotherapy is helpful in prolonging progression-free survival (PFS) following STR of the tumor.