Vascular malformations

Abstract

Clinically these lesions may be asymptomatic, or they may produce headache, a local mass effect, seizures, and occasionally hemorrhage. This last presentation is believed by some to be related to venous drainage. Given that these are ‘slow-flow’ lesions, the hemorrhage associated with cavernous malformations is usually not catastrophic (unlike that associated with high flow AVMs or intracranial aneurysms). However, location is an important predictor of prognosis. Some patients present with cavernous malformations within the brainstem and deep structures; hemorrhage in these locations, can cause significant clinical problems.