Cavernous Malformations

Some people — roughly 15 percent — with cavernous malformations may not experience any symptoms at all, while others may suffer from a variety of effects. Symptoms typically depend on the location of the malformation and may include:

• Seizures ranging in severity, duration and intensity
• Neurological deficits, such as weakness in arms and legs as well as problems with vision, balance, memory and attention
• Headaches ranging in severity, duration and intensity
• Bleeding, called a hemorrhage, in the brain that may damage surrounding brain tissue

Cavernous malformations usually are not diagnosed until they start causing symptoms. When possible symptoms appear, your doctor may recommend a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which remains the best way to diagnose cavernous malformations.

MRI scans may be repeated over the course of your treatment to detect any change in the size of the malformation, recent bleeding and the appearance of new lesions. MRI is a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct pictures of the body.

Currently, the treatments available for cavernous malformations include observation and surgery.

• Observation — If your cavernous malformation does not seem to be causing any problems, your doctor may recommend that the malformation simply be observed with yearly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to detect any changes.

However, it is impossible to predict what will happen with any cavernous malformation. Some will cause repeated hemorrhages with worsening symptoms such as headaches, seizures, difficulty speaking, vision problems or weakness in the arms or legs, while others remain inactive and do not cause symptoms for many years.

• Surgery — Surgery is often recommended for the treatment of cavernous malformations. Because these malformations are so distinct from the surrounding brain tissue, they can at times be completely removed and cure associated seizures. It is very important to remove the entire malformation because it can grow back if a small piece is left behind. The risk of the operation depends on the size and location of the cavernous malformation and your general health.