[Cavernous hemangioma growing continuously from the spinal epidural space into the paravertebral muscles: case report].

A 19-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with a 5 year history of right low back pain. MR images showed an epidural mass which located on the posterolateral side at the T12-L1 level and extended through the right intervertebral foramen into the paraspinal muscles. Excision of the intramuscular and epidural lesions was performed and his symptom quickly improved. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed a cavernous hemangioma. It may affect any part of neuraxis, however cavernous hemangiomas located at the spinal epidural space are rare and particularly the lesions which grow continuously into the paravertebral muscles are very rare. Radiological presentation of this case was confusing in the preoperative diagnosis. It is important that we know the clinical, developmental and radiological characteristics of cavernous hemangiomas.