title: Brainstem cavernous malformations: anatomical, clinical, and surgical considerations.
abstract: Symptomatic brainstem cavernous malformations carry a high risk of permanent neurological deficit related to recurrent hemorrhage, which justifies aggressive management. Detailed knowledge of the microscopic and surface anatomy is important for understanding the clinical presentation, predicting possible surgical complications, and formulating an adequate surgical plan. In this article the authors review and illustrate the surgical and microscopic anatomy of the brainstem, provide anatomoclinical correlations, and illustrate a few clinical cases of cavernous malformations in the most common brainstem areas.
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giliberto
authors.forename: Desiree J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lanzino
authors.forename: Felix E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Diehn
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Factor
authors.forename: Kelly D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Flemming
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lanzino
mesh_terms: D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome