Giant cerebral cavernoma. Case report with literature review

Neurosciences (Riyadh). 2012 Jan;17(1):69-73.

Abstract

Giant cerebral cavernoma is a rare malformation classified as a brain occult vascular lesion. We report a case of initially misdiagnosed giant cavernous angioma revealed by a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. A 40-year-old woman was admitted with right hemiplegia and altered consciousness occurring 3 days prior to presentation. A non-contrast CT scan showed a left parietal gross hematoma, and she was immediately taken to the operating room for emergency surgery. However, the procedure was interrupted by massive bleeding, and therefore a vascular lesion was suspected. Magnetic resonance images suggested a giant cavernous malformation. Afterward, she underwent total removal of this lesion. The postoperative period was uneventful, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cavernous angioma. Thus, the differential diagnosis of gross spontaneous intracerebral hematoma should include giant cavernous angioma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / surgery
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / pathology*
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / surgery
  • Hematoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma / pathology*
  • Hematoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed