title: Symptomatic cerebral cavernomas in pregnancy: a series of 6 cases and review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience of symptomatic cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) in pregnancy and to review the literature on the topic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively collected a case series of symptomatic CCMs during pregnancy or the puerperium. A literature search was performed to identify all similar reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We collected 16 cases of symptomatic CCMs. Haemorrhage occurred in 10 patients. Two patients opted for termination of pregnancy. Delivery occurred preterm in four cases, in only one case due to neurological symptoms at 30 weeks' gestation. Caesarean section was performed in 9 cases; concern over CCM was the indication for delivery in eight of these cases. Four out of 16 patients underwent neurosurgery, three during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptomatic CCMs seldom require neurosurgery either during or after pregnancy and are not associated with preterm delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonazzi
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Curti
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rapacchia
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gabrielli
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pilu
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pozzati
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome