title: Cavernous malformation of the oculomotor nerve mimicking a partially thrombosed posterior communicating artery aneurysm: report of two cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cavernous malformations of the cranial nerves are exceedingly rare. The classic radiographic appearance of cavernous malformations may not be obvious when located in a cranial nerve.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present 2 cases of acute oculomotor paresis caused by cavernous malformations of the oculomotor nerve that were mistaken for a thrombosed posterior communicating artery aneurysm on magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, and digital subtraction angiography. Both patients underwent a craniotomy with exploration of the lesion. Both cavernous malformations were completely resected while the integrity of the third cranial nerve was maintained. One patient experienced complete resolution of the oculomotor palsy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although rare, cavernous malformations should be included in the differential diagnosis of a partially thrombosed posterior communicating artery aneurysm. Exploration and complete lesional resection are possible with improvement of the cranial nerve function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Stacey Quintero
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: Glen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Manzano
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Jacques J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Morcos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000473:pathology*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009802:Oculomotor Nerve / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015840:Oculomotor Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology