Development of a posterior fossa cavernous malformation associated with bilateral venous anomalies: case report

J Neuroimaging. 2002 Oct;12(4):371-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1552-6569.2002.tb00147.x.

Abstract

Venous angiomas (VAs) and cavernous malformations (CMs) are common cerebrovascular malformations. Frequently, these lesions are found in close proximity. The interrelationship between VAs and CMs has not yet been adequately defined. The authors report a case of a 48-year-old man with progressive dysarthria, dysmetria, and ataxia. Eight years previously, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a solitary CM and bilateral posterior fossa VAs. Later imaging after neurological progression revealed the presence of 2 rather than 1 CM adjacent to the VAs. The sequential imaging suggests a causal relationship between VAs and some CMs. Furthermore, the detailed MRI permitted radiosurgical treatment of these CMs. The occurrence of de novo CMs adjacent to VAs on future imaging studies in other patients may help confirm the etiology of at least a subset of CMs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / diagnosis*
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / etiology
  • Hemangioma, Cavernous / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / complications
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiosurgery / instrumentation