[Cerebral cavernomas. A review and update of aetiological, clinical and therapeutic features]

Cavernous angiomas are uncommon lesions, with a reported incidence of 0.4 to 0.8%, presenting a controversial management especially regarding their surgical treatment.

To update cavernous angiomas characteristics and management through a deep review of the literature concerning their aetiology, epidemiology, history, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and surgical and radiosurgical treatment.

Most important advances found in the recent literature include the identification of the genetic basis responsible for the familial form of cavernomatosis (CCM1, CCM2 and CCM3), the identification of the dynamic pattern of these lesions based on their pathology and imaging features, the deeper knowledge on their natural history depending on their supra/infratentorial location, and the main indications for surgical treatment and radiosurgical therapy suggested by the recent series.