Brainstem cavernous malformations: anatomical, clinical, and surgical considerations.
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.
Giliberto
Giuliano
G
Operative Unit of Neurosurgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile, Modena, Italy.
Lanzino
Desiree J
DJ
Diehn
Felix E
FE
Factor
David
D
Flemming
Kelly D
KD
Lanzino
Giuseppe
G
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