Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: Which Ones Should We Worry About?

Brainstem location and presentation with intracerebral hemorrhage or focal deficits were associated with increased risk in a pooled analysis.

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are the second most common incidental vascular lesion detected on brain magnetic resonance imaging. CCMs are heterogeneous in prognosis: Some cause repeated cerebral hemorrhages, whereas others are asymptomatic for decades.

To assess the predictors of brain hemorrhage associated with CCMs, researchers combined data from several independent longitudinal studies totaling 1620 patients (mean age at CCM diagnosis, 45; 54% women). The primary endpoint was estimated 5-year risk for a symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

More than one CCM was present in 17% of patients. Half of the CCMs were lobar, and 35% were in the brainstem. Of patients presenting with a seizure, 86% had a lobar CCM. Among patients …

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: Which Ones Should We Worry About?

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Reviewing Author