[Peculiarities of cavernous hemangiomas in childhood]

Cavernous angiomas are histologically benign hamartomas, showing no potential for metastasis. Clinically, patients present with convulsions, haemorrhage or signs of mass effect. Although many cases exhibit calcifications on X-ray examination, computed tomography is the main diagnostic instrument, resulting in a rise in the number of cases often not detected by angiography and enabling earlier diagnosis in much younger patients. Early diagnosis is imperative, since patients are otherwise exposed to the continuing threat of rupture of the vascular anomalies. Since cavernous angiomas are operable, prognosis is usually good.