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==Overview==
==Overview==


Cavernous angioma, is a vascular disorder of the [[central nervous system]] that may appear either sporadically or exhibit [[autosomal dominant]] inheritance. Cavernous malformations are cavernomas and cavernous angiomas. They are vascular malformations composed of closely approximated endothelial-lined sinusoidal collections without significant amounts of interspersed neural tissue (lack of intervening neural tissue is the only histopathologic characteristic that distinguishes these lesions from capillary telangiectasias).  
[[Cavernous angioma]], also known as [[cerebral cavernous malformation]] [[(CCM)]] or [[cavernoma]], is a rare disease that involves the [[capillaries]] of the [[central nervous system]]. CCMs have dilated [[endothelial]]-lined [[sinusoidal]] [[capillaries]] which lack intervening [[neural tissue]]. This is the only characteristic that can distinguish these [[lesions]] from [[capillary]] [[telangiectasia]].  
Cavernous malformations are typically discrete multilobulated lesions that contain hemorrhage in various stages of evolution. Nearly all cavernous malformations show evidence of recent and remote hemorrhage. Cavernous malformations vary from several millimeters to several centimeters (usually <3 cm) in diameter.
 
[[CCMs]] can be classified as [[sporadic]] or [[familial]], which has an [[autosomal dominant]] form of [[inheritance]]. The majority of [[CCMs]] are recent and remote [[hemorrhages]]. These lesions range in size from millimeters to almost less than 3 centimeters in diameter.


==Historical Perspective==
==Historical Perspective==
Cavernous angioma, also known as cavernous hemangioma, cavernoma, and cerebral cavernous malformation, is a vascular malformation with still an unclear history of its first clinical discovery.
[[Cavernous angioma]], also known as [[cavernous hemangioma]], [[cavernoma]], and [[cerebral cavernous malformation]], is a [[vascular malformation]] with still an unclear history of its first clinical discovery.


==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
Developmental venous anomaly (DVA) can cause a chronic increase in intracranial pressure which can form microhemorrhages around DVA, leading to the development and growth of cavernous angioma. There are two patterns of cavernous angioma, the sporadic and the familial pattern.
[[Developmental venous anomaly]] ([[DVA]]) can cause a chronic increase in [[intracranial pressure]] which can form [[microhemorrhages]] around [[DVA]], leading to the development and growth of [[cavernous angioma]]. There are two patterns of [[cavernous angioma]], the [[sporadic]] and the [[familial]] pattern.


==Causes==
==Causes==
There are no established causes for cavernous angioma.
There are no established causes for [[cavernous angioma]].


==Differentiating Cavernous angioma from other Diseases==
==Differentiating Cavernous angioma from other Diseases==
Cavernous angioma appears very similar on MR with calcified neoplastic and hemorrhagic lesions, most especially renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, and oligodendrogliomas.<br />
[[Cavernous angioma]] appears very similar on [[magnetic resonance]] with calcified [[neoplastic]] and [[hemorrhagic]] [[lesions]], most especially [[renal cell carcinoma]], [[melanoma]], [[pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas]], and [[oligodendrogliomas]].<br />
 
==Epidemiology and Demographics==
==Epidemiology and Demographics==
Cavernous angioma is the second most common form of intravascular malformation next to the developmental venous anomaly (DVA). The incidence in the general population is between 0.1–0.5%, and clinical symptoms typically appear between 30 to 50 years of age. Once thought to be strictly congenital, these vascular lesions have been found to occur ''de novo''.
[[Cavernous angioma]] is the second most common form of [[intravascular malformation]] next to the [[developmental venous anomaly]] ([[DVA]]). The incidence in the general population is between 0.1–0.5%, and [[symptoms]] usually manifest in the third to fifth decade of life. Once thought to be strictly [[congenital]], these [[vascular]] [[lesions]] have been found to occur ''[[de novo]]''.


==Risk Factors==
==Risk Factors==
Family history increases the risk of having cavernous angioma. Genetic testing is recommended for the pathogenic variants of cavernous angioma (''KRIT1'', ''MGC4607'', and ''PDCD10'').<br />
[[Family history]] increases the [[risk]] of having [[cavernous angioma]]. [[Genetic testing]] is recommended for the [[pathogenic]] [[variants]] of [[cavernous angioma]] (''[[KRIT1]]'', ''[[MGC4607]]'', and ''[[PDCD10]]'').<br />


==Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis==
==Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis==
Cavernous angioma is usually a benign course since it is a low-flow and low-pressure lesion. Patients with cavernous angioma have variable signs and symptoms, with seizure as the most predominant symptom, followed by hemorrhage and focal neurologic deficit.
[[Cavernous angioma]] is usually a [[benign]] course since it is a low-flow and low-pressure [[lesion]]. Patients with [[cavernous angioma]] have variable [[signs]] and [[symptoms]], with [[seizure]] as the most predominant [[symptom]], followed by [[hemorrhage]] and [[focal neurologic deficit]].


==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===History and Symptoms===
===History and Symptoms===
Clinical symptoms of this disease include recurrent [[headache]]s, focal neurological deficits, hemorrhagic [[stroke]], and [[seizures]], but CCM can also be [[asymptomatic]].
[[CCMs]] have varying presentations and these can be in the form of [[hemorrhagic stroke]], [[focal neurological deficits]], recurrent [[headaches]], and [[seizures]]. Howevever, CCMs can be [[asymptomatic]] sometimes.


===Physical Examination===
===Physical Examination===
Cavernous angioma, also known as cavernous hemangioma, can affect several organs. Diagnosing this condition should be correlated with [[imaging]] findings.  
[[Cavernous angioma]], also known as [[cavernous hemangioma]], can affect several [[organs]]. Diagnosing this condition should be correlated with [[imaging]] findings.  


===CT scan===
===CT scan===
CT scan is not usually used as a primary modality to diagnose cavernous angiomas due to inablility to detect smaller lesions despite the ability to detect lesions complicated by calcification or hemorrhage.
[[CT scan]] is not usually used as a primary modality to diagnose [[cavernous angiomas]] due to the inability to detect smaller [[lesions]] despite the ability to detect [[lesions]] complicated by [[calcification]] or [[hemorrhage]].


===MRI===
===MRI===
Diagnosis is most commonly made accidentally by routine [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) screening, but not all MRI exams are created equal. It is paramount that the patient request a gradient-echo sequence in order to unmask small or punctate lesions which may otherwise remain undetected. These lesions are also more conspicuous on FLAIR imaging compared to standard T2 weighing. FLAIR imaging is different from Gradient sequences, rather, it is similar to T2 weighing but suppresses free-flowing fluid signal. Sometimes quiescent CCMs can be revealed as incidental findings during MRI exams ordered for other reasons.
[[Diagnosis]] can be made through [[incidental findings]] from [[magnetic resonance imaging]] ([[MRI]]) [[screening]]. A [[gradient-echo sequence]] should be utilized to unmask [[punctate lesions]] which can go undetected. These [[lesions]] are more visible on [[FLAIR imaging]] than on [[T2 weighing]]. As compared to T2 weighing, [[FLAIR imaging]] has more suppression of [[free-flowing fluid signals]].
 
===MRA===
===MRA===
Sometimes the lesion appearance imaged by MRI remains inconclusive. Consequently neurosurgeons will order a cerebral [[angiogram]] or magnetic resonance [[angiogram]] (MRA). Since CCMs are low flow lesions (they are hooked into the venous side of the circulatory system), they will be angiographically occult (invisible). If a lesion is discernible via angiogram in the same location as in the MRI, then an [[arteriovenous malformation]] (AVM) becomes the primary concern.
A [[cerebral]] [[angiogram]] or [[magnetic resonance]] [[angiogram]] (MRA) is usually requested as [[lesions]] can go undetected in [[MRI]]. If a lesion is discernible via [[angiogram]] in the same location as in the [[MRI]], then an [[arteriovenous malformation]] (AVM) becomes the primary concern.


===Other Imaging Findings===
===Other Imaging Findings===
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[[Category:Genetic disorders]]
[[Category:Genetic disorders]]
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Latest revision as of 19:25, 1 December 2022

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Edzel Lorraine Co, DMD, MD

Overview

Cavernous angioma, also known as cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) or cavernoma, is a rare disease that involves the capillaries of the central nervous system. CCMs have dilated endothelial-lined sinusoidal capillaries which lack intervening neural tissue. This is the only characteristic that can distinguish these lesions from capillary telangiectasia.

CCMs can be classified as sporadic or familial, which has an autosomal dominant form of inheritance. The majority of CCMs are recent and remote hemorrhages. These lesions range in size from millimeters to almost less than 3 centimeters in diameter.

Historical Perspective

Cavernous angioma, also known as cavernous hemangioma, cavernoma, and cerebral cavernous malformation, is a vascular malformation with still an unclear history of its first clinical discovery.

Pathophysiology

Developmental venous anomaly (DVA) can cause a chronic increase in intracranial pressure which can form microhemorrhages around DVA, leading to the development and growth of cavernous angioma. There are two patterns of cavernous angioma, the sporadic and the familial pattern.

Causes

There are no established causes for cavernous angioma.

Differentiating Cavernous angioma from other Diseases

Cavernous angioma appears very similar on magnetic resonance with calcified neoplastic and hemorrhagic lesions, most especially renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, and oligodendrogliomas.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Cavernous angioma is the second most common form of intravascular malformation next to the developmental venous anomaly (DVA). The incidence in the general population is between 0.1–0.5%, and symptoms usually manifest in the third to fifth decade of life. Once thought to be strictly congenital, these vascular lesions have been found to occur de novo.

Risk Factors

Family history increases the risk of having cavernous angioma. Genetic testing is recommended for the pathogenic variants of cavernous angioma (KRIT1, MGC4607, and PDCD10).

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Cavernous angioma is usually a benign course since it is a low-flow and low-pressure lesion. Patients with cavernous angioma have variable signs and symptoms, with seizure as the most predominant symptom, followed by hemorrhage and focal neurologic deficit.

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

CCMs have varying presentations and these can be in the form of hemorrhagic stroke, focal neurological deficits, recurrent headaches, and seizures. Howevever, CCMs can be asymptomatic sometimes.

Physical Examination

Cavernous angioma, also known as cavernous hemangioma, can affect several organs. Diagnosing this condition should be correlated with imaging findings.

CT scan

CT scan is not usually used as a primary modality to diagnose cavernous angiomas due to the inability to detect smaller lesions despite the ability to detect lesions complicated by calcification or hemorrhage.

MRI

Diagnosis can be made through incidental findings from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening. A gradient-echo sequence should be utilized to unmask punctate lesions which can go undetected. These lesions are more visible on FLAIR imaging than on T2 weighing. As compared to T2 weighing, FLAIR imaging has more suppression of free-flowing fluid signals.

MRA

A cerebral angiogram or magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) is usually requested as lesions can go undetected in MRI. If a lesion is discernible via angiogram in the same location as in the MRI, then an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) becomes the primary concern.

Other Imaging Findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with cavernous angioma.

Other Diagnostic Studies

Diagnostic biomarkers can be utilized too in conjunction with imaging tools to identify cavernous angioma.

Treatment

Surgery

Surgery is the mainstay treatment for cavernous angioma. Complete surgical resection should be done to prevent seizures and hemorrhage due to remnant tissue.

Cost-effectiveness of therapy

Since cavernous angioma can be treated via medical or surgical option, therapy for this condition is relatively cost-effective.

Futures of Investigational Therapies

Several insights on development of cavernous angioma exist. Some drugs have been identified to be able to reduce risk of hemorrhage, and possible development of new lesions. Advances in biomarkers are now being studied more.

References