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

Oncological diseases are not uncommon now. Every year, the number of patients with 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 consider further.

What is a 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 a cavernoma and their number can be very different. Thus, several formations can freely separate from each other, and they can adjoin one another closely.

Outwardly, 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 have been hemorrhages.

Where can a cavernoma be located?

Localization of neoplasm

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

• The bark of the cerebral hemispheres is most often.
• The thalamus.
• A corpus callosum.
• Ventricles of the brain.
• The trunk of the brain.

Causes of cavitation

Most often, the 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 trauma of soft tissues, which will initiate the formation of a vascular neoplasm.

It is also believed that the formation of a cavernoma can be facilitated by:

• Infectious pathologies during the carrying of the baby.
• Immune-inflammatory factors.
• Radiation exposure.

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

Symptoms of cavernous angioma of the brain

As a rule, such a disease, as a cavernoma of the brain, 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:

• Headaches of a constant nature.
• Epileptic syndrome.
• Cramps appear.
• Vomiting.
• Sensitivity is disturbed.
• The acuity of hearing 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

The cavernoma of the brain causes consequences primarily associated with neurological disorders. And also it is focal lesions of the brain. The tumor squeezes the substance of the brain, and the symptoms mentioned 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, it is possible to develop such signs:

• The patient loses practical skills.
• It can not from a critical point of view evaluate yourself and others.

If there is a lesion of the left or right temporal lobe, and while the proportion is dominant, namely right-handed - left, left-handed - right, then there may be such symptoms:

• Falling of fields of vision.
• Hearing disorder.
• Violated ability to pronounce words.

If the lesion is not in the dominant area of the temporal lobe, such violations are typical:

• 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 following consequences:

• Hemorrhages.
• Violation of cerebral circulation.
• Vascular rupture and violation of local blood flow.
• Increased vascular congestion and caverns.
• Death.

Diagnosis of 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 did not cause them any discomfort. 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:

• CT scan.
• 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 average values, then we can keep within 1500 rubles. But this is the most optimal method for determining the presence of epileptic seizures.

During the preparation of the patient for radiosurgical treatment, a tractogram is used to calculate the necessary dose of radiation.

Contraindications for cavernoma

I would like to note that a disease such as a cavernoma of the brain does not allow for 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 impermissible to influence the tumor with physiotherapeutic procedures, massages, etc., that is, apply all those methods that stimulate blood circulation.

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

About treatment

Cavernoma does not lend itself to medical therapy. Surgical intervention is necessary. It is desirable to remove the tumor. However, this is not always possible due to 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 the 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 different methods.

When an operation is necessary

Doctors insist on removing the cavernoma if:

• The tumor provokes epileptic seizures, convulsions.
• It is located not far from vital areas.
• Cavernoma rules neurological disorders and repeated hemorrhages.
• The tumor is of large size and is located in a functionally significant area.

In this case, the doctor must take into account:

• Age of the patient.
• The shape and size of the tumor.
• The course of the disease and concomitant diseases.
• How long ago there was a hemorrhage.

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

Methods for removing cavernoma

Let's consider, what other methods of removal of a cavernoma of a brain, except for traditional surgical, 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 superficial neoplasms.

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

Recovery after surgery

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

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

• Surgeon.
• The psychologist.
• Physician LFK.
• Physiotherapist.
• Speech therapist.
• Chemotherapist.
• LFK instructors.
• 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 say that the removal of cavernoma with its progression for six months has a better prognosis. In 70% of hemorrhages cease, in 55% of patients with epileptic syndrome attacks subsided or completely disappear.

If the epileptic syndrome developed 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.