Malformaciones cavernosas intracraneales: espectro de manifestaciones neurorradiológicas / Cerebral cavernous malformations: spectrum of neuroradiological findings

Las malformaciones cavernosas (cavernomas) son lesiones hamartomatosas formadas por espacios vasculares sinusoidales sin parénquima cerebral entre ellos. Las crisis son su presentación clínica más habitual. Son lesiones dinámicas en las cuales se producen cambios a lo largo del tiempo. La mayoría son de localización supratentorial, pero hasta un 20% de los casos se presentan en la fosa posterior. Tanto en la tomografía computarizada como en la resonancia magnética (RM) su presentación típica es como una lesión redondeada u ovoidea, bien definida, sin o con un mínimo efecto masa o edema, y con poco o ningún realce. Su apariencia en la RM dependerá del estadio de la hemorragia, siendo la secuencia más sensible el eco de gradiente T2. El cavernoma no es visible en la arteriografía. No obstante, ésta puede demostrar una anomalía del desarrollo venoso asociada. Los cavernomas pueden presentar características atípicas en cuanto a su tamaño, apariencia, localización y número (AU)

Cavernous malformations (cavernomas) are hamartomatous lesions formed by sinusoidal vascular spaces, with no cerebral parenchyma between them. Seizures are the most usual clinical presentation. They are dynamic lesions, producing changes throughout their evolution. The majority are located in the supratentorial region, but up to 20% of cases they are found in the posterior fossa. In computed tomography (CT) and in magnetic resonance (MR) their typical presentation is as a well defined round or oval lesion, with or without a minimal mass effect or oedema, with little or no contrast enhancement. Their appearance in MRI will depend on the stage of the haemorrhage, a T2 echo gradient being the most sensitive sequence. Angiography do not usually detect cavernomas. However, it may demonstrate a venous developmental anomaly. Cavernomas may present with atypical characteristics, as regards their size, appearance, location and number (AU)

Cerebral cavernous malformations: spectrum of neuroradiological findings.

Cavernous malformations (cavernomas) are hamartomatous lesions formed by sinusoidal vascular spaces, with no cerebral parenchyma between them. Seizures are the most usual clinical presentation. They are dynamic lesions, producing changes throughout their evolution. The majority are located in the supratentorial region, but up to 20% of cases they are found in the posterior fossa. In computed tomography (CT) and in magnetic resonance (MR) their typical presentation is as a well defined round or oval lesion, with or without a minimal mass effect or oedema, with little or no contrast enhancement. Their appearance in MRI will depend on the stage of the haemorrhage, a T2 echo gradient being the most sensitive sequence. Angiography do not usually detect cavernomas. However, it may demonstrate a venous developmental anomaly. Cavernomas may present with atypical characteristics, as regards their size, appearance, location and number.