Cavernoma of the brain: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment methods, consequences

Oncological diseases are not uncommon now. With each passing year, the number of patients in oncologists will increase. A tumor can occur in any organ, while remaining asymptomatically for a long time. Each of us, of course, faced a headache, but how often we write off its appearance on fatigue, high blood pressure or symptoms of osteochondrosis. And can, it is time to be surveyed and find out the present or true cause? Tumors are not only malignant, but also benign. What is the cavernoma of the brain, what are its causes and methods of treatment, we will consider further.

What is the cavernoma

Cavernoma has another name - cavernous angioma of the brain. This tumor is not associated with the general blood flow and has no clear, organic and functional connection with it.

If you answer the question: "Cavernoma of the brain - what is it?", Then you can describe it in this way. These are brain neoplasms in the form of vascular cavities of various forms. They contain blood decay products. The contents can consist of connective tissue and thrombi, and some of the fragile and thin walls. The sizes of the cavernoma and their number can be very different. So several formations can be freely separated from each other, and they can adjoin one another closely.

Externally, the cavernoma has a tuberous surface with a cyanotic shade. It has clear outlines, most often round in shape, and is delimited from nearby tissues. In the adjacent tissues there are gross changes. The yellowish color will be the brain substance that surrounds the cavernous, this is a sign that there were hemorrhages.

Where can a cavernoma be located?

Localization of neoplasm

The cavernous brain angeoma can be found in any part of it. The following places of its localization can be identified:

• The bark of the large hemispheres - most often.
• Thalamus.
• The corpus callosum.
• Ventricles of the brain.
• The trunk of the brain.

Causes of cavity formation

The most common cavernoma of the brain is an innate formation. Benign tumor is soft and elastic when pressed. When pressed, it disappears, but then again takes its original form, it can bleed, which subsequently causes infection.

The reason for the appearance in the period of intrauterine development is a violation of the structural and functional transformation of tissue cells. The connection of veins to the arteries at the initial stage of intrauterine development gives rise to this disease.

The cause may be a soft tissue injury that will initiate the formation of a vascular neoplasm.

It is also believed that the formation of a cavernoma can contribute to:

• Infectious pathologies during child bearing.
• Immune-inflammatory factors.
• Radiation irradiation.

How to recognize a disease? What are the symptoms for him?

Symptoms of cavernous angioma of the brain

As a rule, such a disease as cerebral cavernoma, is asymptomatic. The patient does not bother, there are no suspicious symptoms. Often a neoplasm is found during a preventive examination. But of course, the symptomatology largely depends on the localization of the cavernoma and its size. It was noted that manifestations in patients with cavernoma in the brainstem, in the left or right temporal lobe, in the frontal lobe are pronounced.

The clinical picture of the disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Constant headaches.
• Epileptic syndrome.
• Cramps appear.
• Vomiting.
• Sensitivity is broken.
• Hearing acuity is lost.
• Paralysis.

If the headache is worse, then there is a probability of rupture of the wall of the cavernoma. The risk of hemorrhage is too high. In such patients, it is 4-23%, and if the patient suffers a hemorrhage repeatedly, then in 30% of cases it causes disability.

Consequences of pathology

Brain cavernoma effects are associated primarily with neurological disorders. And also it is focal lesions of the brain. The tumor squeezes the substance of the brain, and the symptoms indicated above begin to develop. After a hemorrhage occurs, the brain substance is impregnated with hemosiderin and other metabolic products. As a result, some functions are disabled. So, if the cavernoma is located in the region of the frontal lobe, the following signs may develop:

• The patient loses practical skills.
• Can not critically assess themselves and others from a critical point of view.

If the lesion of the left or right temporal lobe occurs, and the proportion is dominant, namely right-handedness - left, left-handed - right, then the following symptoms may appear:

• Falling of vision fields.
• Hearing disorder.
• The ability to pronounce words is broken.

If the lesion is not in the dominant area of ​​the temporal lobe, such abnormalities are characteristic:

• Appearance of auditory hallucinations.

In any case, if the lesion is localized in the temporal region, the development of mental disorders is characteristic.

Also with the late detection of pathology in the cavernoma, an inflammatory process or dystrophic changes begins, with the possible consequences:

• Hemorrhages.
• Disturbance of cerebral circulation.
• Vascular rupture and local flow disturbance.
• Increased vascular congestion and cavities.
• Lethal outcome.

Diagnosis of the cavernoma

Patients sometimes do not even suspect that they have a cavernoma of the brain. What is it, find out only after its discovery, while being surprised that throughout its existence it has not caused any discomfort to them. After the diagnosis is made, the doctor should be observed regularly and monitor its development.

The cavernoma of the brain is diagnosed as a result of the following studies:

• Computed tomography.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.
• Angiography.
• EEG.The price for this service depends, of course, on what clinic or city the patient will undergo the procedure, but if we talk about the mean values, then we can keep within 1500 rubles. But this is the most optimal method for determining the presence of epileptic seizures.

In the period of preparation of the patient for radiosurgical treatment, a tractography is used to calculate the necessary dose of radiation.

Contraindications to the cavernoma

I want to note that a disease such as a cavernoma of the brain does not allow the therapy of folk remedies and self-treatment. Since this at times increases the risk of hemorrhage or rupture of blood vessels.

It is also unacceptable to influence the tumor with physiotherapeutic procedures, massages, etc., that is, apply all those methods that stimulate blood circulation.

It is recommended to regularly monitor MRI and EEG for monitoring cavernoma. The price for such services may be high enough for some, but one should not, once again, hopefully remind that in turn, health is priceless.

About treatment of

Cavernoma does not lend itself to medical therapy. Surgery is necessary. It is desirable to remove the tumor. However, this is not always possible because of its location. Also, the patient can be against, if he does not interfere with the cavernoma. The operation in this case is not required, but the risks remain. The patient should still remain under the supervision of a neurologist.

If a patient has epileptic seizures, anticonvulsants are treated. However, in the future, such patients are recommended to promptly get rid of the tumor.

Very dangerous cavernomas, which are located in the deep layers of the brain and are not subject to surgical removal. A large practice and experience in such treatment is the Scientific Research Institute of Neurosurgery. Burdenko.

It is not uncommon for doctors to recommend the removal of a tumor using a variety of methods.

When operation

is required Doctors insist on removal of the cavernoma if:

• The tumor provokes epileptic seizures, convulsions.
• Located near vital areas.
• Cavernoma rules neurological disorders and repeated hemorrhages.
• Tumor is large in size and is located in a functionally significant area.

In this case, the doctor must consider:

• Age of the patient.
• The shape and dimensions of the tumor.
• Course of the disease and concomitant diseases.
• How long was the hemorrhage.

If the tumor can not be surgically removed, there are other modern methods of removal.

Methods for the removal of the cavernoma

Let us consider what other methods of removing the cavernoma of the brain, besides the traditional surgical procedure, exist:

• Radiosurgery. Gamma knife. Apply to hard-to-reach tumors. The risk of hemorrhage is absent. The tumor is eliminated completely.
• Laser therapy. Apply when removing surface cavern. Minimal risk of bleeding and scarring.
• Cryotherapy. Apply liquid nitrogen for superficially located neoplasms.

All these techniques are used to remove cavernoma in the Research Institute of Neurosurgery. Burdenko. To apply this or that method in each individual case, a decision is made on the medical consultation after a thorough examination of the patient.

Recovery after operation

Restorative procedures should begin as early as possible in order to exclude a person's disability. Some functions can not be restored.

Recovery after surgery should be performed by experienced specialists. Consultations and assistance will be required:

• Surgeon.
• Psychologist.
• Physician LFK.
• Physiotherapist.
• Speech therapist.
• Chemotherapist.
• LFK Instructor.
• Younger attendants.

In the postoperative period, you must make an MRI, and then repeat after 4-6 months. This will help to make sure that the cavernous brain angioma is completely removed.

The more qualitative and productive the process of rehabilitation will be, the sooner the lost functions will be restored. Each patient needs an individual rehabilitation program. At the initial stage, all classes take place in a passive mode, and if there are no complications, you can expand the program.

Prognosis for the patient

Doctors note that the removal of the cavernoma with its progression for half a year has a better prognosis. In 70% of hemorrhages cease, in 55% of patients with epileptic syndrome attacks subsided or completely disappear.

If epileptic syndrome develops as a result of cavernoma for a longer time, the effectiveness of treatment is reduced.

For the removal of cavernoma, a radiosurgical method of treatment is most often used at this stage. The main thing is not to miss the time, then the opportunity to restore lost functions and reduce the risk of hemorrhages increases.