Cavernous Malformations

Indications

• Cavernous malformations are angiographically occult vascular malformations that typically come to clinical attention because of seizures or acute hemorrhage. With widespread use of noninvasive imaging, many cavernous malformations are now being diagnosed incidentally.

• Surgery is recommended in symptomatic patients with seizures or after at least one symptomatic bleed. In patients with symptomatic brainstem and thalamic cavernous malformations, surgery is usually recommended if the lesion comes to a pial or ependymal surface.