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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
Surgical management of brain cavernomas in children
George A Alexiou1, Evriviadis Mpairamidis, George Sfakianos
1Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Agia Sofia, Athens, Greece. alexiougrg@yahoo.gr
Background:
Cavernous hemangiomas are benign vascular hamartomas caused by developmental malformations of the vascular bed. They can be found in 0.3-0.7% of the population, whereas one fourth of these lesions occur in children.
Methods:
In the present study, we report on 16 cases of cavernomas surgically treated in our institute. From each patient's file, the age, sex, lesion location, symptoms and follow-up were analyzed.
Results:
The most commonly presenting symptom was epilepsy. Radiological signs of acute hemorrhage were observed in 3 cases. Three children had multiple cavernomas. The parietal lobe was the most common site of occurrence, whereas only 2 cavernomas were infratentorial. There was no operative mortality. Postoperatively, there was no additional neurological deficit, and all patients gradually improved. In a case of pontine cavernoma, there was a need for reoperation due to rebleeding.
Conclusion:
With the improvement of microsurgical techniques and modern neuroimaging, nearly all cavernomas can be safely removed. Total resection is associated with patients' clinical improvement and seizure control.
