Cavernous Malformations

Overview

Mayo Clinic offers comprehensive resources to diagnose and treat patients who have cavernous malformations, including sophisticated MRI screening capabilities, genetic testing and extensive surgical experience. Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is ranked No. 1 in Neurology and Neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Diagnosis

These blood vessel malformations are usually discovered during an MRI scan to investigate seizures or other neurological problems, or during testing for other diseases. Read more about Mayo Clinic's capabilities in cavernous malformation diagnosis.

Treatment Options

The main treatment options are observation and surgery. A team of cerebrovascular specialists (neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists) discuss treatment options with patients and their families and decide the best treatment plan. Read more about cavernous malformation treatment options.

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About

Cavernous malformations are groups of abnormal, tiny blood vessels, and larger, stretched-out, thin-walled blood vessels filled with blood. Viewed under a microscope, they appear to be blood-filled caverns in the brain. These blood vessel malformations can also occur in the spinal cord, the covering of the brain (dura), or the nerves of the skull. Cavernomas range in size from less than one-fourth inch to that of a small orange. They occur equally in men and women and have been found in people of almost all ages, although the first symptoms generally occur when people are in their 30s.

The primary risk associated with cavernomas is hemorrhage. Patients also may have seizures when the malformation is in the cortex (the convoluted surface layer of gray matter). Cavernomas can enlarge because of repeated small hemorrhages, or blood leaking around the abnormal tissue. They are usually very distinct from the surrounding normal brain tissue because they tend to push normal tissue aside.

Cavernomas may be hereditary in some families and are more common in Hispanic populations. Generally, people with familial cavernous malformations tend to have more than one malformation in the brain or spinal cord. Some evidence suggests that familial malformations pose a slightly higher hemorrhage risk. Three known gene mutations cause familial malformations. Genetic counseling and testing are available at Mayo Clinic and may be considered for people with more than one cavernous malformation or those with a family history of the condition. Prenatal testing also is available.