Cavernous Malformations: What You Need to Know скачать в хорошем качестве

Cavernous Malformations: What You Need to Know

. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:52 Causes of Cavernous Malformations 1:23 Symptoms of Cavernous Malformations 2:09 Diagnosis of Cavernous Malformations 2:41 Treatment of Cavernous Malformations • Cavernous malformations are a mass of tiny, abnormal blood vessels and larger, thin-walled blood vessels that are stretched out and filled with blood.  • The clusters are found inside the brain, usually in the cerebrum portion.  • However, the clusters can also occur in the spine and the outer covering (dura), and nerves of the brain.  • Cavernous malformations are small in size, around a quarter to three-quarters of an inch.  • They are also known as cavernous angiomas, cavernous hemangiomas, cavernomas, and intracranial vascular malformations.  • Because of where they occur, cavernous malformations can cause severe symptoms that require medical attention.  • Here’s all you need to know about this: Causes • The exact cause of cavernous malformations is not known.  • Experts believe that it may be a result of genetic mutations and can be inherited.  • Studies show that around 20% of people with cerebral cavernous malformations have to deal with the familial type. • The genes supposed to be responsible for this include CCM2, KRIT1 (CCM1), and PDCD10 (CCM3). Symptoms • A person with cavernous malformations may not experience symptoms for quite some time.  • When they do appear, their intensity depends on where they are located and the strength of their walls.  • Furthermore, the neurological conditions they may cause depend on the affected area of the brain or the spinal cord.  • Symptoms might go away for some time as cavernous malformations release the blood they have inside before beginning to reabsorb it.  • The symptoms you might experience are: • Problems with balance • Seizures • Weakness in the legs or arms • Vision problems • Headaches • Attention and memory problems Diagnosis • You need to seek medical help if any of those symptoms appear suddenly.  • A doctor will ask for your family history and a detailed account of your symptoms.  • If they suspect cavernous malformation, they will ask for an MRI scan of the head region.  • MRIs, with contrast or without, are repeated several times to determine the exact location and the size of the malformations.  • You will be referred to a neurosurgeon after a cavernous malformation diagnosis.  Treatment • Cavernous malformations might show symptoms for years.  • If they are discovered meanwhile, the “asymptomatic lesions” will simply be monitored to check on their size.  • You might be prescribed anticonvulsant medication and will need tests every year to take a look at the malformations.  • For symptomatic lesions, you might be given medication to control the symptoms until they subside.  • However, surgery is often considered for serious cases if: • The seizures cannot be kept in check through medication  • The malformations are easily accessible and in a low-risk part of the brain  • The malformations are confirmed to be causing the symptoms