The echo-guided removal of cerebral cavernous angiomas.
Twenty cavernous angiomas were surgically removed after being localised by intra-operative echography. 10 patients were males and 10 females, with an average age of 34 years. Four patients had had intracerebral haemorrhage; all the remaining patients presented with headaches or seizures. The size of the lesion ranged from a minimum of 2.5 to a maximum of 4.0 cm. Its localisation was subcortical in 14 cases, paraventricular in 4 and in another 2 originated from the floor of the IV ventricle. Echography showed a blackberry-like cavernous angioma, hyperechogenous with respect to the surrounding parenchyma; the lesion was well-defined in all cases due to the absence of perilesional oedema with a clear demarcation from healthy tissue. After operation, pre-operative cranial nerve deficits (brought on by haemorrhage) only persisted in the two cases where the cavernoma involved the floor of the IV ventricle. In all cases post-operative radiological investigation recorded the complete removal of the cavernous angioma, the diagnosis of which was invariably confirmed by histological analysis. The authors draw the conclusion that intra-operative echography is capable of localising cavernous angiomas, providing the surgeon with real-time guidance during microsurgical removal. It is also useful for establishing as to whether complete removal has been accomplished.
Lunardi
P
P
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Acqui
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D004453:Echoencephalography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*