Trigonal cavernous angioma: a short illustrated review.
OBJECTIVE
Intraventricular cavernomas are rare. Even more rare are those presenting in the trigone of the lateral ventricles.


METHODS
We performed a search of the literature of the last 30 years and identified all cases of intraventricular cavernous angiomas. Trigonal cavernomas were separately identified and analysed. Our search yielded a total of 13 trigonal cavernomas.


RESULTS
Of a total of 61 intraventricular cases, 13 were located in the trigone of the lateral ventricles. The most prominent presenting symptom was intracranial hypertension (68.9%), followed by seizures (18.2%) and hemorrhage (13.1%).The literature review revealed a trend of intraventricular cavernomas to present with intracranial hypertension rather than seizures or focal neurologic deficit, unlike their intraparenchymal counterparts. We feel that this difference has received little attention in the international literature. We discuss a possible pathogenetic mechanism for the presence of intracranial hypertension and address different aspects of diagnosis and treatment of this benign lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
Trigonal cavernomas are benign lesions that have an excellent outcome after radical excision. Symptoms and signs of intracranial hypertension and hydrocephalus may be the prominent initial presentation of this rare ailment.
Stavrinou
L C
LC
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens 115 21, Greece. mplam@hotmail.com
Stranjalis
G
G
Flaskas
T
T
Sakas
D E
DE
D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002551:Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D010211:Papilledema / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome