De novo development of a cavernous malformation of the brain: significance of factors with paracrine and endocrine activity: case report.
OBJECTIVE
De novo development of cavernous malformations is poorly documented in the literature.


METHODS
We report the case of a 37-year old woman with de novo growth of a cavernous malformation of the brain. The patient presented with a 12-month history of nonspecific headaches and paresthesias after two pregnancies. After computed tomographic scanning of the cranium, a cavernous malformation located parieto-occipitally within the right brain hemisphere was diagnosed. Control magnetic resonance imaging scans obtained 12 years earlier did not reveal a similar lesion.


METHODS
Surgery was performed, and the specimen was analyzed histopathologically.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemistry demonstrated lack of expression of pituitary hormones as well as of androgen, estrogen, and progesterone hormone receptors. However, strong expression of both basic fibroblast growth factor and CD44 was detected in surrounding tissue, and expression of CD44 was noted within the matrix of the cavernous malformation.
Lüdemann
Wolf
W
Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. Luedemann@ini-hannover.de
Ellerkamp
Verena
V
Stan
Alexandru C
AC
Hussein
Sami
S
D000328:Adult; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2