De novo cavernoma developing from an asymptomatic thalamic microhemorrhage

Cavernomas are low-flow vascular lesions affecting approximately 0.5% of the population. Historically these have been considered congenital lesions, but numerous reports have demonstrated de novo formation. The phenomenon is well documented in patients with the familial disease form and after cranial radiotherapy, but outside of these circumstances there is scant evidence as to the potential etiology. The authors present a 5 year MRI series of a 56-year-old woman with no known risk factors demonstrating cavernoma formation and growth from previously normal brain. The patient was consistently asymptomatic during follow-up. Given the history and imaging findings, we propose that cavernomas can arise directly from angiogenic proliferation secondary to microhemorrhage from unrelated causes.

Giant cystic cerebral cavernous malformation with multiple calcification - case report

Cerebral cavernous malformation with giant cysts is rare and literature descriptions of its clinical features are few. In this case study, the authors describe the clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and pathological diagnosis of cerebral cavernous malformations with giant cysts, reviewing the relevant literature to clearly differentiate this from other disease entities. The authors present a case of a 19-year-old male with a giant cystic cavernous malformation, who was referred to the division of neurosurgery due to right sided motor weakness (grade II/II). Imaging revealed a large homogenous cystic mass, 7.2×4.6×6 cm in size, in the left fronto-parietal lobe and basal ganglia. The mass had an intra-cystic lesion, abutting the basal portion of the mass. The initial diagnosis considered this mass a glioma or infection. A left frontal craniotomy was performed, followed by a transcortical approach to resect the mass. Total removal was accomplished without post-operative complications. An open biopsy and a histopathological exam diagnosed the mass as a giant cystic cavernous malformation. Imaging appearances of giant cavernous malformations may vary. The clinical features, radiological features, and management of giant cavernous malformations are described based on pertinent literature review.

Long-term seizure outcomes following resection of supratentorial cavernous malformations

OBJECTIVE

Symptomatic supratentorial cavernous malformations may present with seizure, headache, neurological deficit, or a combination thereof. Factors that contribute to treatment algorithms commonly include patient age, lesion size and location, lesion multiplicity, hemorrhage history, and the ability to control seizure activity with medication. A better appreciation of the impact of patient and lesion characteristics on post-operative seizure control may provide insight into management strategies. To determine long-term seizure outcomes following surgical resection of supratentorial cavernous malformations, the predictive value of characteristics including seizure duration and number, presence of generalized seizures, and lesion multiplicity and size on seizure control rate was evaluated.

METHODS

We performed a single institution retrospective review of consecutive patients with supratentorial cavernous malformations presenting with at least one seizure between 1995 and 2008. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the influence of patient and lesion characteristics on postoperative seizure control.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up duration was 87.9 months. At last follow-up there were 46 patients (82.1%) that were free from impairing seizures (Engel Class 1). Ten patients (17.9%) were classified as Engel Class 2-4. Univariate analysis demonstrated that only the presence of multiple cavernomas was associated with worse post-operative seizure outcome (p=0.006). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that multiple cavernomas remained a significant predictor for development of worse seizure outcome controlling for number and duration of seizures prior to operation, presence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and size (odds ratio, 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.03, 0.99).

CONCLUSION

Resection of supratentorial cavernomas is associated with a high rate of postoperative seizure freedom. The presence of multiple cavernomas is predictive of seizure persistence following surgery.

Stereotactic radiosurgery of intracranial cavernous malformations

Despite increasing worldwide experience, the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the management of cerebral cavernous malformations (CMs) remains controversial. Microsurgical excision of easily accessible CMs is typically safe; therefore, removal remains the gold standard for most of the symptomatic hemispheric lesions. However, there is now sufficient evidence supporting the use of SRS for the difficult cases. Waiting for the cumulative morbidity of the natural history to justify intervention does not serve the patient's interest, therefore, we argue for early radiosurgical intervention. Carefully designed randomized controlled trials might resolve controversies concerning the role of SRS in treating cerebral CMs.

Subdural hematoma from a cavernous malformation

OBJECTIVE

To present a case of a cavernous malformation presenting with a subdural hematoma.

METHODS

A 27-year-old woman was admitted with progressively worsening headache, vomiting, weakness, and word-finding difficulties 1 week after she was discharged from an outside hospital, where she was managed conservatively for a presumed traumatic subdural hematoma. Computed tomography revealed an enlarging subacute left hemispheric subdural hematoma for which she underwent drill craniostomy. Postprocedural magnetic resonance imaging showed a posterior left temporal lobe mass consistent with a cavernous malformation juxtaposed with the subdural hematoma. Craniotomy for resection of the lesion was performed. She had an uncomplicated postoperative course and experienced a good recovery.

RESULTS

The signs and symptoms, diagnostic imaging, and intraoperative findings suggest that the subdural hematoma was caused by extralesional hemorrhage of the cavernous malformation, which is a rare finding associated with these malformations.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical course, radiologic, and intraoperative findings suggest that the subdural hemorrhage was caused by extralesional hemorrhage of the cavernous malformation.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for symptomatic brainstem intra-axial cavernous malformations

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for the treatment of symptomatic brainstem intra-axial cavernous malformations (CMs) associated with high surgical morbidity.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with symptomatic brainstem intra-axial CMs were treated by GKRS between 2005 and 2010. One patient was lost to follow-up. The median age of the patients was 39.5 years (range, 24-69 years). All patients had experienced 1 or more symptomatic hemorrhages before GKRS (range, 1-3). The median marginal radiation dose was 13 Gy, and the median volume of the malformation was 0.56 mL. The median follow-up period after radiosurgery was 32 months (range, 12-82 months; mean, 38.9 months).

RESULTS

Before GKRS, 31 hemorrhages (1.55 per patient) were observed. The annual hemorrhage rate before GKRS was 39.5%, excluding the first hemorrhage. After GKRS, 1 hemorrhage (0.05 per patient) was identified. It occurred 6 months after radiosurgery. The patient showed complete recovery to a premorbid status with steroid medication. The annual hemorrhage rate after GKRS was 8.2% for the first 2 years. After the expected latency period, no hemorrhages were identified. One patient (5%) exhibited permanent paresthesia, which was a new neurologic symptom in absence of any hemorrhagic event, after the radiosurgery.

CONCLUSIONS

GKRS seems to be relatively effective and safe for reducing the rebleeding rate of brainstem intra-axial CMs that have high surgical risk. Careful selection of a low marginal dose and an optimal radiosurgical technique are helpful to achieve good outcomes.

Cranial nerve cavernous malformations causing trigeminal neuralgia and chiasmal apoplexy: Report of 2 cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Cavernous malformations (CMs) confined to the cranial nerves (CN) are extremely rare lesions.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The authors report 2 cases of CMs, one involving the trigeminal nerve presenting with a 3 years history of a refractory right trigeminal neuralgia that was microsurgically resected by a retromastoid approach with resolution of the neuralgia; and another CM involving the chiasma with an abrupt onset of vision loss with acute intralesional bleeding that was removed through a right pterional approach with vision improvement.

CONCLUSION

Surgical resection is recommended in the context of progressive significant neurological deficit, emergency decompression as a result of recent hemorrhage for symptomatic relief or increase in size on serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Massive intracerebral hemorrhage caused by a cavernous malformation

We present a rare case of massive intracerebral hemorrhage resulting from a small, superficially-located supratentorial cavernous malformation, or cavernoma. These lesions rarely lead to massive, life-threatening intracerebral hemorrhages. A 17-year-old female presented with a 3-week history of declining mental status. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a sizable intracranial hemorrhage, within the right occipital region, associated with a small nodule at the hematoma's posterior margin. An emergency operation removed the entire hematoma and nodule. Histological examination of the nodule was compatible with a diagnosis of cavernous malformation. The patient's post-operative course was uneventful.

Radiation-induced cavernous malformations of the cauda equina mimicking carcinomatous or infectious meningitis. A case report

The authors present a case of multiple radiation-induced cavernous malformations of the cauda equina in a patient with a remote history of testicular cancer and extended field radiation therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated multiple nodular areas of enhancement coating the nerve roots of the cauda equina, mimicking an aggressive leptomeningeal process such as carcinomatous or infectious meningitis. Biopsy of one of these lesions revealed ectatic vascular channels devoid of intervening neuroglial tissue consistent with cavernous malformation.

Repeated intracerebral hemorrhage from developmental venous anomaly alone

Developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) are hemodynamically low flow, low resistance vascular malformations without clinical significance. Although most DVAs are asymptomatic and are found incidentally, sometimes they can be symptomatic with intracerebral hemorrhage, many of which are usually caused by associated cavernous malformations (CMs) rather than the DVAs themselves. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature where an intracerebral hemorrhage has been caused by a DVA alone. This report describes a case of an intracerebral hemorrhage due to DVA alone with review of the literature.

Cavernous malformation of the optic chiasm : case report

Cavernous malformations (CMs) arising from the optic nerve and chiasm are extremely rare. The authors present a case of 39-year-old woman with CMs of the optic chiasm. She was referred due to sudden onset of bitemporal hemianopsia and headache, the so-called 'chiasmal apoplexy'. MRI findings suggested a diagnosis of hemorrhage and vascular malformation of the optic chiasm. Pterional craniotomy revealed an intrachiasmatic cavernous malformation with hemorrhage. The malformation was totally excised, but field deficits remained unchanged after surgery.

Intraventricular cavernous malformation radiologically mimicking meningioma

We report a case of trigonal cavernous malformation (CM) radiologically mimicking meningioma. The computed tomographic (CT) head angiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a partially calcified lesion with slight contrast enhancement located in the area of the left atrium of lateral ventricle. The lesion was completely removed using microsurgery with a parieto-occipital transcortical approach. The resected mass was histologically confirmed as CM. CM should be considered as differential diagnosis in case of the atrial mass lesion due to lack of hemosiderin ring characteristically seen other seated CM.