The microsurgical solution in supratentorial cavernous angiomas

Abstract

Cavernous angiomas of the central nervous system are rare, neurovascular lesions usually detected in patients aged 20-50 and represent up to 8-15% of all intracranial malformations. The association between cavernomas and arteriovenous malformations is met in 10-30% of cases. Treatment strategies for intracranial cavernomas include conservative management, open microsurgery and finally stereotactic radiosurgery (the use of which is still highly debatable as there are no available methods to determine its short term effects). The authors present their surgical experience in what regards a cohort of 149 consecutive patients, diagnosed with intracranial and supratentorial cavernomas, admitted, investigated and treated between January 2000 and January 2015. The clinical particularities of the patients together with the surgical approaches are debated. Last but not least the outcome and quality of life of the patients is discussed.