The echo-guided removal of cerebral cavernous angiomas

Summary Twenty cavernous angiomas were surgically removed after being localised by intra-operative echography. 10 patients were males and 10 females, with an average age of 34 years. Four patients had had intracerebral haemorrhage; all the remaining patients presented with headaches or seizures. The size of the lesion ranged from a minimum of 2.5 to a maximum of 4.0 cm. Its localisation was subcortical in 14 cases, paraventricular in 4 and in another 2 originated from the floor of the IV ventricle.Echography showed a blackberry-like cavernous angioma, hyperechogenous with respect to the surrounding parenchyma; the lesion was well-defined in all cases due to the absence of perilesional oedema with a clear demarcation from healthy tissue.After operation, pre-operative cranial nerve deficits (brought on by haemorrhage) only persisted in the two cases where the cavernoma involved the floor of the IV ventricle. In all cases post-operative radiological investigation recorded the complete removal of the cavernous angioma, the diagnosis of which was invariably confirmed by histological analysis.The authors draw the conclusion that intra-operative echography is capable of localising cavernous angiomas, providing the surgeon with real-time guidance during microsurgical removal. It is also useful for establishing as to whether complete removal has been accomplished.     

Extradural spinal cavernous angiomas: report of seven cases

The authors describe seven cases of extradural spinal cavernous angioma. Although cavernoma itself is not rare, the extradural spinal localization is uncommon and makes preoperative differential diagnosis difficult. Routine MRI investigation has aided neurosurgeons in evaluating the true incidence of these vascular malformations, which was understimated in the past. The data published so far have not entirely clarified the treatment of choice for these lesions. Considering their rarity in this site, their presenting symptoms and the difficulties involved in neuroradiological diagnosis, the authors discuss the role of surgery as the principal form of treatment and review the relevant literature. Seven patients (4 male, 3 female) were admitted to our Institute of Neurosurgery between 1992 and 2004, with a 5–6 month history (range=2–365 days) of low back pain or radicular pain, sometimes associated with paresthesia. All patients had a CT scan, as well as MRI with gadolinium when possible, which detected an extradural roundish lesion: differential diagnosis was very difficult, especially between neurinoma and cavernoma. Treatment was always surgical and resection of the lesion radical. Postoperatively, all patients presented complete regression of clinical symptoms. In all cases histological diagnosis was cavernous angioma. Postoperative MRI with gadolinium or CT scan with IV contrast, performed before discharge, confirmed radical removal of the vascular malformation in all cases. Our experience confirms that surgery should be the treatment of choice for these lesions, in view of both their tendency to bleed and their straightforward surgical removal.     

Stereotactically-guided craniotomy for cavernous angiomas presenting with epilepsy

Summary With the wider availability of magnetic resonance imaging cavernous malformations are being recognised with increasing frequency in those patients presenting with intractable epilepsy. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. However, because these lesions are usually small and may be located in eloquent areas stereotactic resection should be considered. Stereotactically-guided resection of pathologically verified cavernous angiograms was performed in 10 patients in this series presenting with epilepsy (8 males, 2 females, mean age 32 years). Eight patients presented with medically intractable epilepsy (5 complex partial seizures, 3 grand mal seizures). Of the remaining patients one experienced multiple episodes of haemorrhage and the other headaches (with a non-diagnostic scan) both in association with epilepsy. Pre-operative localisation of the motor strip was determined in one case by functional MRI. Following resection of these lesions all patients experienced improved seizure control with a mean follow-up period of 22 months. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.1 days with no surgical complications recorded. We conclude that stereotactically-guided resection offers significant advantages in the management of cavernous malformations.Surgical indications for operative resection would include medically refractory epilepsy, repeated haemorrhage and those cases where there is diagnostic uncertainty.     

Multiple cystic cavernous angiomas associated with hemorrhage

Summary. A 29-year-old man presented with impaired mental concentration and inability to remember. Magnetic resonance and computed tomography studies revealed multiple calcified cysts. Craniotomy was performed and one of the lesions was resected. The histological diagnosis was cavernous angioma. The first report of multiple cystic cavernous angiomas is reported.     

Frame-based and frameless stereotaxy in the localization of cavernous angiomas

Cavernous angiomas are mostly small intracranial vascular lesions which can be intraoperatively localized by sonography or stereotactic methods. This paper compares the results of cavernous angioma surgery localized by frame-based vs frameless techniques. Thirty-nine patients with cortical or subcortical lobar cavernoma were operated on by a microsurgical trans-sulcal approach. The localization of the lesion was performed in 19 (49%) patients by frame-based technique and in 20 (51%) patients by frameless navigation. In 22 (56%) of the patients, the cavernomas were located in an eloquent cortical area. Ten of 22 of these lesions were localized by frame-based stereotaxy and 12/22 by frameless navigation. The patients demonstrated the following preoperative symptoms: seizures 20 (51%), hemorrhage 18 (46%), focal neurologic deficit 11 (28%), and headache three (7%), and three (7%) were asymptomatic. Thirteen of 19 patients localized with frame-based stereotaxy were postoperatively asymptomatic or their preoperative neurological symptoms improved. Four of 19 had a transitory neurologic deficit and 2/19 a permanent worsening. Seventeen of 20 patients localized by frameless navigation were asymptomatic or neurologically improved. Three out of 20 suffered from a transient neurologic deficit. Regarding the seizures, 14 (70%) patients were postoperatively free of seizures, three (15%) were improved, and three (15%) were unchanged. The frameless navigation was superior regarding the flexibility for approaches along the skull base and midline, and the frame-based method was superior regarding the accuracy for very small lesions (less than 7 mm). In other cases, both methods were equal. Frame-based and frameless stereotactic methods are useful in the localization of small cavernous angiomas. They make it possible to remove cavernous angiomas in eloquent cortical regions with low risk of a permanent neurologic deficit. Electronic Publication     

Radiosurgical treatment of cavernous sinus cavernous haemangiomas

Summary Background. The objective of this report is to evaluate the effects of radiosurgery on cavernous sinus cavernous haemangiomas (CSCHs).Method. Five cases of CSCHs are presented in this report. One of them was diagnosed only neuroradiologically. Other patients underwent surgery and were then referred to Gamma Knife radiosurgery for residual tumours. The cohort consisted of 3 male and 2 female patients with median age of 42 (37–60). The volume of the tumours ranged between 3.8–6.5cc. They were treated with a marginal dose of 14 to 16Gy (mean 15Gy).Findings. In the mean follow-up period of 32 months (6–52 months) all of the tumours decreased in size. There were no complications related to radiosurgery.Conclusion. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is an effective method in the treatment of CSCH, over the period of follow-up described.     

Management of patients with cavernous angiomas presenting epileptic seizures

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish a treatment strategy for patients with cavernous angiomas and have seizures. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 31 patients with cavernous angiomas presenting with seizures. Of the 31 patients, 15 (11 men, 4 women) had been treated medically (the medical group) and 16 (11 men, 5 women) had been treated surgically (the surgical group). The percentage of patients who became seizure-free and the number of anticonvulsants used were compared between these 2 groups. The mean follow-up period was 5.3 years (range, 7 months-10 years). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to the number of patients, sex, age, and follow-up period. RESULTS: The percentage of patients who became seizure-free was higher in the surgical group than in the medical group (80% vs 19%, P < .01). The number of anticonvulsants required was reduced in the surgical group after surgery (from 1.5 +/- 0.7 to 1.1 +/- 0.8, P < .01) and was not reduced after in the medical group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention may have greater benefits than medical intervention for patients with cavernous angiomas presenting with epileptic seizures.     

颅内脑外型海绵状血管瘤MRI表现与误诊分析

［摘要］ 目的 分析颅内脑外型海绵状血管瘤（ECMs）的MRI表现及误诊原因,以提高术前诊断准确率。方法 回顾性分析9例经手术病理确诊ECMs患者的MRI表现,观察病变部位、信号特点,结合病理特点,进行误诊分析。结果 本组9例病例中,多发病灶2例,即内听道并脑内型海绵状血管瘤,单发病灶7例,其中病变位于海绵窦区3例,颅中窝、侧脑室后角、第四脑室、窦汇区各1例。周围组织水肿1例,无水肿8例。信号不均匀者5例,均匀者4例,以T1WI呈等信号、T2WI与FLAIR呈高信号为主,增强后早期明显强化,强化程度同血管样强化。4例SWI呈等、低、高混杂信号,2例呈等信号。DWI呈稍低信号3例,1例呈等低混杂信号,ADC图呈稍高信号4例。MRS中Cho、NAA峰位于基线水平者3例,发现Lac1例。PWI提示低灌注1例。结论 ECMs以T2WI、FLAIR高信号为主、常见“环铁征”、低灌注的脑组织外血管畸形病变,少见周围组织水肿。利用SWI、MRS及PWI等影像新技术,提高ECMs的诊断准确性,为临床治疗提供全面、准确的信息。     

Microsurgery of deep-seated cavernous angiomas: Report of 26 cases

Summary The authors review 26 patients with deep-seated cavernous angiomas which were removed by microsurgery. Ten of the angiomas were located in the insula and basal ganglia, 2 in the thalamus, 5 in the midbrain, 8 in the pons, and 1 in the brachium pontis. The patients were among 73 consecutive cases operated on between August 1983 and December 1989 for symptomatic cavernous angiomas in various locations.In 11 cases total excision of the cavernoma was achieved without producing additional neurological deficits. Postoperative neurological recovery was delayed in 7 patients. In the remaining 8, the complicated postoperative course was caused by bleeding from residual parts of the malformation or damage to long-tract pathways in two cases, respectively, vascular injury during dissection in three cases, and paradoxical air embolism in one case. In order to achieve a satisfactory surgical result, it is stressed that particular attention has to be paid to the operative approach, to careful dissection and complete removal of the malformation, to perforating arteries, and to anomalous venous drainage.     

Response of cavernous sinus hemangioma to radiotherapy: a case report

The author reports a case of a histologically proven cavernous hemangioma of the cavernous sinus and middle fossa, which was treated by radiotherapy. This very rare lesion represents a formidable challenge to the neurosurgeon and its excision has been associated with a considerable mortality rate. The significant reduction in the size of tumor of our patient after radiotherapy and the corresponding improvement in her clinical condition provide further evidence in support of the use of radiotherapy as the first line treatment modality after the histological confirmation of a cavernous sinus hemangioma. Surgery should be reserved for tumors that fail to respond to radiotherapy or recur after an initial good response to radiotherapy.     

功能磁共振联合神经导航辅助切除功能区海绵状血管瘤

目的探讨功能磁共振联合神经导航辅助的显微手术在治疗功能区海绵状血管瘤中的应用价值。方法用功能磁共振联合神经导航技术,对功能区的5例海绵状血管瘤行显微外科手术切除。结果病灶全切除率为100％,无重要神经功能受损表现,无手术并发症及死亡。结论功能磁共振联合神经导航辅助的显微手术治疗功能区内海绵状血管瘤,定位精确,微侵袭,可提高海绵状血管瘤切除率,降低手术并发症。对手术切除脑功能区海绵状血管瘤并保留运动功能有重要的指导作用。     

The benefit of neuronavigation for the treatment of patients with intracerebral cavernous malformations

The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate the surgical indications, operation methods, and postoperative results of patients with cavernous malformations (CMs) and the use of neuronavigation. Seventy patients with CMs were operated on in our hospital. The initial symptoms were hemorrhage in 31 cases, seizures in 29 cases, focal neurological deficit in 4 cases, and headache in 5 cases. Only one asymptomatic case was incidentally identified by radiological examination. The size of CMs ranged from 5 to 50 mm (mean: 21 mm). The CMs in 39 patients were located within the white matter of the hemispheres, 11 within the basal ganglia or thalamus, 5 within the cerebellum, and 6 in multiple locations. Prior to the operation, five fiducial markers were placed on the scalp and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Data were transferred to the neuronavigation workstation, a profile of tumors was drawn up, and a three-dimensional reconstruction was completed. The foci were separated and resected under a microscope through a sulci and fissures approach. All the lesions were resected totally. No residual foci were found by postoperative computed tomography (CT)/MRI examination, and there was no operative death. The disability rate was 8.6%; four patients had a new transitory neurological deficit within 1 month after the operation, and one patient with thalamic CMs developed facial paralysis. All patients, however, recovered in 6 months. Twenty-four patients with preoperative epilepsy were followed up for 6–24 months (mean: 19.4 months). After the operation, seizures disappeared in 19 patients and symptoms improved in 5. CMs can be determined in patients even if patients are asymptomatic. Surgical treatment should be considered if bleeding occurs. An operation with the guidance of neuronavigation is safe and can decrease the occurrence of disability following the procedure.     

Diagnosis of cavernous haemangiomas by computed tomography and angiography

Summary Computed tomography and angiographical findings of cavernous haemangiomas of the brain are reported on the basis of six cases of the authors, and a review of the literature. Computed tomography showed well demarcated, round densities with tiny calcifications, and mild contrast enhancement (0-25 HU), with no mass effect and with open sulci round the lesion. The angiographical findings were normal except in one patient with an early draining vein and in another with a late draining vein; consequently an injection of at least 10 to 15 ml of contrast medium, and a prolonged angiographical series are recommended. According to the literature, capillary blush may also be seen in angiography. If both CT and angiography are used the diagnosis is definitive, and a neoplasm can be excluded. In five of our patients the diagnosis was verified surgically and histologically, while the sixth patient was not operated on because the frontoparietal lesion was near the motor region. In most cases, surgical removal is easy and successful.     

Multifocal intradiploic cavernous hemangioma of the skull associated with nasal osteoma

Summary.  Objective: To present a 42-year-old female patient with multifocal cavernous hemangioma of the skull associated with nasal osteoma.  Design: A case report.  Intervention methods: X-rays, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology were used to achieve the diagnosis of this rare entity. The multiple cavernous hemangiomas were resected en-bloc and a curettage biopsy was obtained from the nasal osteoma.  Results: The patient healed well after the operation. No recurrences of the cavernous hemangiomas were observed after one-year follow-up.  Conclusion: Multifocal cavernous hemangiomas are rare benign lesions of the calvarium, arising from the intrinsic vasculature of the bone. Although they are benign, radiological findings are not always characteristic and their multiple presentation may easily make surgeons consider the other malignancies of the skull in the differential diagnosis. Histopathologic confirmation of the tumor is the definitive method for diagnosis. The treatment of choice is early en bloc resection of the tumour where it is possible. Published online April 28, 2003  Correspondence: Kayhan Kuzeylı˙, M.D., Karadeniz Teknik U¨niversitesi, Farabi Hastanesi N?roşirurji AbD, 61080 Trabzon, Türkiye.     

Intramedullary spinal cord cavernous malformations: report of ten new cases

Spinal cord cavernous malformations (SCCM), once thought to be extremely rare, have been diagnosed more frequently since the advent of MRI. In addition to the six personal cases surgically treated between 1992 and 1993 and already described in the literature, the authors report here a further ten cases operated on between April 1993 and January 2001. These involved five males and five females whose ages at operation ranged from 12 to 69 years. The SCCM were thoracic in five patients and cervical in five. In seven cases, the malformations bulged on the surface of the pia mater, while in the other three there was subpial discoloration due to the presence of hemosiderin. Removal was total in all cases. After surgery, two patients presented transient worsening of preoperative paraparesis. At follow-up ranging from 2.2 to 9.2 years (mean 5.7), nine patients had made complete motor recovery while one, in whom preoperative paraparesis had been severe, remained stationary. At least one follow-up MRI investigation was performed in each patient 6 to 12 months after operation. As previously reported, the authors confirm that the treatment of choice for symptomatic SCCM is total surgical excision in order to avoid recurrences and the possibility of further hemorrhage. Surgical outcome combines low mortality with a high probability of functional recovery, especially when paraparesis is not severe and of relatively recent onset.     

Surgical management of aneurysms in the cavernous sinus

Summary A series of 32 patients with aneuryms in the cavernous sinus region is presented. All of them have been operated upon through an intradural pterional approach and the aneurysms directly attacked. Only in 6 patients was the complete dissection of the internal carotid artery and of the aneurysm impossible because of the size of the aneurysms. In these cases the aneurysm has been traped by ligation of the internal carotid artery in the neck and its supraclinoid course and at the same time and extracranial intracranial anastomosis performed. One patient died from massive cerebral infarction after a trapping procedure and another died from a transoperative haemorrhage; another two developed a moderate hemiparesis which resolved within the first six postoperative weeks, and in two patients a preoperative severe visual impairment progressed postoperatively to complete visual loss. All others had a complete resolution of their preoperative symptoms and remained well.The advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches to intracavernous carotid artery aneurysms are discussed and the related literature reviewed.Presented at the European Congress of Neurosurgery, Barcelona, September 1987.     

解剖第三肝门切除巨大肝脏海绵状血管瘤

目的 为切除紧贴腔静脉的肝脏巨大海绵状血管瘤寻找一种新的安全的手术途径。方法 在患侧肝动脉结扎后,于第三肝门部位逐一分离、结扎、切断肝短静脉,使瘤体与腔静脉分离,在肝门阻断下切除瘤体。结果 全组２７例,行肝右叶及尾叶切除１３例,右半肝切除２例,右肝上段切除３例,右后叶切除２例,左三叶及尾状叶切除５例,尾状叶切除２例。绵未行全肝血流阻断。术中输血平均１１５０ｍｌ,术后随访３￣４８个月,全部情况良好。     

Microsurgical treatment of juxtapeduncular angiomas

Five patients harboring juxtapeduncular angiomas were all treated by a direct microsurgical approach. Anatomic considerations, angiographic data on the feeding arteries, and related anomalies are discussed. The operating microscope and deep hypotension were very useful for the complete removal of these lesions, which were approached in most cases by a “backward” technique. Diffuse bleeding from the paraventricular area was difficult to handle. There were no postoperative deaths. At follow-up examination, I patient had hemiparesis and hemianopia, 2 patients had mild visual field defects, and 2 patients had normal neurological examinations. All but one of the patients have resumed their previous occupations. It is concluded that microsurgery constitutes the best treatment for these malformations.