Radiological diagnosis of brainstem cavernous malformations and their micro-neurosurgical treatment outcomes

Abstract

Objective To investigate the radiological characteristics of brain stem cavernous malformations and their micro-neurosurgical treatment outcomes.Methods A retrospective analysis of radiological characteristics and micro-neurosurgical treatment outcome of 15 patients with brain stem cavernous malformations,admitted to our hospital from May 2006 to September 2011,was performed.Results Distinctive features of patients with brain stem cavernous malformations were noted under MRI,showing mulberry-like or Lattice-shaped structures; low signal ring was noted around the tumors;T2WI enjoyed the most obvious signal,indicating remote hemorrhage resulted from hemosiderin deposition.All patients underwent entire resection of brainstem cavernous malformations except for one patient sub-entire resection.One week after the operation,the neurological status was improved in 12 patients,remained unchanged in 2 patients,and aggravated in 1 patient.Three months after the operation,the neurological status was improved in 13 patients and remained unchanged in 2 patients.Among the 12 patients undergone follow-up 12 months after operation,the neurological status was improved in 11 patients and remained unchanged in 1 patient.Conclusion MRI is reliable in the diagnosis of brainstem cavernous malformations; the position and size of cavernous hemangioma could be displayed clearly; micro-neurosurgical treatment can provide good outcome for patients with symptoms. Key words: Cavernous hemangioma; Brainstem; Micro-neurosurgery; Magnetic resonance imaging