Peripartum haemorrhage from an intramedullary conus medullaris cavernous malformation: a rare but serious complication

Cavernous malformations (CMs) represent about 5% of all spinal intramedullary lesions in adults. There is growing evidence to suggest that pregnancy may increase the risk of haemorrhage from CMs. We report the case of a 28-year-old woman who presented with bilateral lower limb paraparesis following an intramedullary haemorrhage from conus medullaris CM during the peripartum period. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case. We also review a handful of other reported cases of peripartum symptomatic spinal intramedullary CMs from the literature highlighting the pathogenesis of such cases and the best timing for intervention.