De novo formation of cerebral cavernous malformation in a patient with intractable epilepsy: case report and review.
OBJECTIVE
The exact origin and process of development of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) is currently unknown. In this article, the authors present de novo CCM formation in a patient with intractable epilepsy and discuss the pathogenesis of CCM in light of several current theories.


METHODS
A 34-year-old man presented with a 10-year history of intractable seizures. His neurological examination was normal, and the initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was suggestive of right mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS). Follow-up MRI study showed development of CCM in the right frontal region. Subsequently, invasive monitoring revealed right temporal seizure source, prompting right temporal lobectomy that resulted in abolition of epilepsy. Histological diagnosis of CCM was confirmed after the lesion was removed in a separate surgery. The patient recovered to normal lifestyle without any complications.


CONCLUSIONS
This appears to be a first documented case of de novo CCM formation in the setting of intractable epilepsy with ipsilateral MTS. Since the possibility of lesion development cannot be ruled out based on clinical examination, updated imaging and thorough neurophysiological workup are needed for successful treatment of patients with intractable epilepsy.
Colpan
Mustafa Efkan
ME
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. colpan@iit.edu
Uckardesler
Levent
L
Sekerci
Zeki
Z
Slavin
Konstantin
K
D000328:Adult; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000473:pathology*; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology*