Cavernous Malformations

It is define as the abnormal formation of blood vessels other than hemangiomas. Cavernous malformation look like mulberries and produce problem in brain substance. Malformation of blood vessels may vary in size. They can occur as hereditary disorder.

Symptoms

This condition may exist without producing any visible signs and symptoms, symptoms appeared after recurrent bleeding episodes or when blood clot formed in vessels. General signs and symptoms include:

Vomiting
Nausea
Severe headache
Loss of vision
Numbness
Weakness on one side of the body
Difficulty in speaking and swallowing
Diplopia

Causes

The exact causes of cavernous malformations is not known yet but mostly cases occur as a hereditary diseases and run in families. Sometime it can also occur after radiotherapy to treat brain tumor.

Complications

Recurrent episodes of bleeding causes blood loss and clot formation which causes ischemic injury of the brain and leads to the progressive neurological defect.

Diagnosis

Your doctor after taking medical history and performing a physical examination recommended a following tests to check the extend of disease:

MRI to check the detailed image of brain and it’s associated organ.
Genetic testing to check if it occur due to any mutation in the genes.
Blood test exclude other causes

Treatment

Treatment depend upon the severity of disease, treatment options include:

Medications. To reduce the signs and symptoms like anti epiletpic drugs to treat the seizures and anti depressant to treat the anxiety and depression.

Observation. If your signs and symptoms are mild then your neurologist only monitor the condition without giving any medications.

Surgery. To remove the malformation if your symptoms doesn’t cure with medicines

Cavernous Malformations