Bilateral cavernous malformations resulting from cranial irradiation of a choroid plexus papilloma

We report a case of multiple parietal cavernous malformations in a thirteen year old female who received cranial irradiation following incomplete resection of a choroid plexus papilloma. The cavernous malformations, which developed within the prior parietal radiation ports, were diagnosed nine years after the patients' radiation treatment when the patient presented with increasing frequency of seizures. Family history was negative for familial cavernous malformations. Due to the worsening frequency of seizures, the patient underwent resection of these two cavernous malformations with diagnosis confirmed by pathology. Post-operative, there was a significant reduction in seizure frequency. The origin and pathophysiology of cavernous malformations remains controversial. Cranial radiation treatment for tumors, particularly in children, may possibly lead to the development of these lesions, as occurred in this case. This is, to our knowledge, the first case of multiple cavernous malformations occurring within a previous radiation field following radiotherapy for a neoplasm.