Disease: Cavernous malformations

Overview

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are abnormally formed blood vessels. As opposed to other kinds of hemangiomas, CCM vessels, which have the appearance of a small mulberry, develop and create problems in the brain or spinal cord. These malformations, which can vary in size from 2 millimeters to several centimeters in diameter, may be hereditary but most often occur on their own.

CCMs may leak blood, leading to bleeding in the brain or spinal cord (hemorrhage). Brain or spinal hemorrhages can generate a wide range of more apparent neurological symptoms, depending on the location of a cavernous malformation in a person's nervous system.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) may exist without apparent symptoms. Obvious symptoms tend to occur when recurrent episodes of bleeding or blood clot formation lead either to seizures, for upper lobe CCMs, or to focal or vision issues, for CCMs in the brainstem, basal ganglia and spinal cord.

Generally, signs and symptoms of CCMs may include weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, difficulty understanding others, unsteadiness, vision changes or severe headache. Seizures also can occur, and neurological issues can progressively worsen over time with recurrent bleeding (hemorrhage). Repeat bleeding can occur soon after an initial bleed or much later, or a repeat bleed may never occur.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical help immediately if you experience any symptoms of seizure, or signs and symptoms that suggest brain hemorrhage, such as:

  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
  • Difficulties in speaking or understanding speech
  • Loss of vision
  • Double vision
  • Balance difficulties

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

Most CCMs occur as a single formation, without an apparent cause and without any family history.

However, roughly 20 percent of affected people have a familial (inherited) form of the disorder. In many cases, such people can identify similarly affected family members, most often with multiple malformations. A diagnosis of the inherited form can be confirmed by genetic testing.

Some CCMs can also occur following focal brain radiation therapy.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

Often, people with cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) don't show any signs or symptoms. Your diagnosis may result from brain imaging for other neurological conditions, or specific symptoms may prompt your doctor to pursue more extensive testing.

Depending on why the condition is suspected, doctors may order tests specifically to confirm CCMs, or to identify or rule out other related conditions. Brain imaging is also called for as soon as possible after the emergence of any new symptoms, to reveal either hemorrhage or the emergence of any new malformations.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this test, a detailed picture is made of your brain or spine. The blood vessels in the brain may be imaged as well. Sometimes a doctor may inject a contrast dye into a vein in your arm to look at the brain tissue in a slightly different way, or to better look at the blood vessels in the brain (magnetic resonance angiography or magnetic resonance venography).
  • Genetic testing. If you have a family history of the condition, genetic counseling and tests are helpful to identify changes associated with CCMs in genes or chromosomes.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications

The most concerning complications of CCMs stem from recurrent bleeding (hemorrhage), which may lead to progressive neurological damage.

Hemorrhages are more likely to recur in people with prior diagnosed hemorrhages. They're also more likely to reoccur with malformations located in the brainstem.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

As mentioned above, while most CCMs occur with no clear cause, the genetic (inherited familial) form of the condition can cause multiple cavernous malformations, both initially and over time.

To date, research has identified three genetic variants responsible for familial cavernous malformations, to which almost all familial cases of cavernous malformations have been traced.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Define Common Diseases

Welcome to WebHealthNetwork, here you can find information, definitaions and treatement options for most common diseases, sicknesses, illnesses and medical conditions. Find what diseases you have quick and now.