Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Cerebral Cavernomas

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Objective: Cerebral cavernomas are vascular malformations characterized by abnormally enlarged capillary cavities with abnormal brain parenchyma. In present study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of cerebral cavernomas are presented. Material and Methods: Nineteen female and 17 male patients, who had brain MRI examination due to various complaints and found to have cavernoma were included. Cavernomas types, location, volumes, hemosiderin rings and shape, accompanying DVA and contrast enhancement were investigated in MRI. Association between cavernoma volumes and contrast enhancement was investigated. Results: Of 36 cavernomas, 17 were in cortical-subcortical area, 11 in deep, 5 in subcortical-central white matter, and 3 in central white matter. The cavernoma volume range was 0.02-6.50 ml (median 0,45 ml). Nineteen of them had discontinuous hemosiderin rings and 15 continuous ones, while two had none. Whereas 23 of them had sharp contour and 11 had relatively straight contour, 2 were indefinitely bordered. Twenty-four were lobule in shape, 11 was round and 1 was formless. Twenty-two of the cavernomas were of type 2, 13 type 1, and 1 type 3. While there were not contrast enhancement in 14 of cavernomas, progressive enhancement was observed in 7, focal-punctate in 3, peripheral in 3 and diffuse contrast enhancement in 1. Contrast enhancement was not significantly associated with cavernoma volumes (p=0,382). In 18 patients, cavernoma was accompanied by DVA. Conclusion: Cavernomas are lesions of vascular origin frequently accompanied by DVA, showing changeable MRI characteristics with volume-independent contrast enhancement patterns according to amount and stage of bleeding products within them.

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Cavernous angioma , magnetic resonance imaging , central nervous system venous angioma

Kocatepe Medical Journal

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Kocatepe Medical Journal