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Induction and Micro-CT Imaging of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations in Mouse Model
Published on: September 4, 2017
Paediatric presentation of familial cerebral cavernoma
Harriet Holme1, Vasanta Nanduri
1Watford General Hospital, Watford, UK. harrietholme@hotmail.com
Insights
A pediatric patient presented with headaches, later diagnosed with multiple cerebral cavernomas (CCMs) and a family history. Familial CCMs require prompt surgical intervention due to high hemorrhage risk in children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular anomalies in the central nervous system.
- These malformations consist of enlarged, thin-walled capillaries lacking intervening brain tissue.
- CCMs can occur sporadically or with a familial inheritance pattern.
Observation:
- A 13-year-old male presented with headaches, initially suspected to be a brain tumor.
- Diagnostic workup revealed multiple cerebral cavernomas with associated hemorrhage.
- The patient also had a documented family history of similar conditions.
Findings:
- Familial forms of CCMs are increasingly recognized.
- Hemorrhage and focal neurological deficits are more common in pediatric CCM patients than adults.
- The reported case highlights the importance of considering CCMs in pediatric headache presentations, especially with a family history.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for pediatric patients with symptomatic CCMs to mitigate hemorrhage risks.
- Understanding the genetic and clinical spectrum of familial CCMs is vital for comprehensive patient care.
- This case underscores the need for thorough investigation in pediatric neurological cases that may mimic other serious conditions.
Abstract:
We report the case of a 13-year-old male who presented with headaches and was presumed to have a brain tumour. He was subsequently found to have multiple cerebral cavernomas with haemorrhage and positive family history. We review the literature on familial cavernomas. Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are characterized by abnormally enlarged capillary cavities without intervening brain parenchyma [Verlaan et al. Neurology 2005; 65:1982-1983] that may involve any part of the central nervous system. Focal neurologic deficit and haemorrhage occur in 45% of children, higher than in adults [Stoeter. Neurosurg Rev 2001; 24]. Paediatric patients with symptomatic cavernous malformations should be treated surgically because of the risk of haemorrhage [Lee et al. Child's Nervous Syst 2008; 24:321-327].
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