Surgical management of brain cavernomas in children.
BACKGROUND
Cavernous hemangiomas are benign vascular hamartomas caused by developmental malformations of the vascular bed. They can be found in 0.3-0.7% of the population, whereas one fourth of these lesions occur in children.


METHODS
In the present study, we report on 16 cases of cavernomas surgically treated in our institute. From each patient's file, the age, sex, lesion location, symptoms and follow-up were analyzed.


RESULTS
The most commonly presenting symptom was epilepsy. Radiological signs of acute hemorrhage were observed in 3 cases. Three children had multiple cavernomas. The parietal lobe was the most common site of occurrence, whereas only 2 cavernomas were infratentorial. There was no operative mortality. Postoperatively, there was no additional neurological deficit, and all patients gradually improved. In a case of pontine cavernoma, there was a need for reoperation due to rebleeding.


CONCLUSIONS
With the improvement of microsurgical techniques and modern neuroimaging, nearly all cavernomas can be safely removed. Total resection is associated with patients' clinical improvement and seizure control.
Alexiou
George A
GA
Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital Agia Sofia, Athens, Greece. alexiougrg@yahoo.gr
Mpairamidis
Evriviadis
E
Sfakianos
George
G
Prodromou
Neofytos
N
D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000601:surgery; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed