Superficial siderosis associated with multiple cavernous malformations: report of three cases.
OBJECTIVE
Superficial siderosis is a rare but potentially devastating syndrome caused by recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage. We present three cases of superficial siderosis associated with multiple cavernous malformations, and we review previous reports of superficial siderosis attributable to vascular malformations.


METHODS
Patients most commonly present with progressive sensorineural hearing loss, cerebellar ataxia, and pyramidal signs. Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis may precede symptom development, however. In two of our cases, superficial siderosis was identified on magnetic resonance imaging scans in the absence of clinical symptoms.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed hemosiderin deposition, characteristic of superficial siderosis, and multiple cavernous malformations in all three cases. Surgical intervention was not pursued.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that patients with multiple cavernous malformations and those with perisubarachnoid lesions are at risk for the development of superficial siderosis. Clinicians should recognize the radiographic appearance of superficial siderosis and its clinical presentation in patients with vascular malformations.
Li
K W
KW
Department of Neurological Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-8811, USA.
Haroun
R I
RI
Clatterbuck
R E
RE
Murphy
K
K
Rigamonti
D
D
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D020785:Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006485:Hemosiderin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012806:Siderosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D006485:Hemosiderin