title: Cavernous malformation of the mammillary bodies: neuropsychological implications. Case report.
abstract: The authors present the first documented case of a cavernous malformation of the mammillary bodies. A 34-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of headaches and acute memory changes. Magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrated a retrochiasmatic interpeduncular lesion that was initially thought to be a craniopharyngioma. Operative resection confirmed the diagnosis of a cavernous malformation. This particular case is unique in its destruction of the mammillary bodies and presents further evidence of the relationship of these regions to memory. This report is also the first to document results of pre- and postoperative neuropsychological evaluations that specifically address the memory deficits created by destruction of the mammillary bodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Loesch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gilman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Del Dotto
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003397:Craniopharyngioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008326:Mammillary Bodies / Q000098:blood supply*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis