title: [Microsurgical treatment of spinal cavernous malformation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the characteristics of clinical manifestations, diagnostic imaging, pathology, and microsurgical treatment of spinal cavernous malformation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical data of 28 patients with spinal cavernous malformation undergoing total resection through posterior approach during 1991-2006, all receiving MRI examination and 22 also receiving spinal DSA examination, were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 28 cases, 8 lesions were located in the cervical segment of the spinal cord; 12 lesions in the cervical-thoracic segment; 4 lesions in the thoracic segment; 2 in the lumbar segment, and 2 in the thoraco-lumbar segment. The MRI images looked like mulberry; a black ring around the cavernoma was indicated. The spinal cord tissues around the lesion were obviously stained by the deposited hemosiderin. Follow-up of 3 months to 6 year showed no recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI is the most reliable method for diagnosis of spinal cavernous malformation and surgical resection is the best treatment method. The key of success is meticulous surgical techniques. DSA helps differentiate spinal cavernous malformation from other arterio-venous malformations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Yu-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qing-Guo
authors.initials: QG
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sha
authors.forename: Hong-Zhi
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000473:pathology; D020785:Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D055815:Young Adult