Walsh & Hoyt: Cavernous Malformations (Cavernous Angiomas)

A cavernous malformation is a vascular lesion composed of large vascular channels lined by flat endothelium and separated by a fibroconnective tissue stroma. Most cavernous malformations become symptomatic in the 3rd to 6th decades of life, but they may produce symptoms at any age, even in the neonatal and perinatal periods. Cavernous malformations have been reported to increase in size during pregnancy and to decrease in size after delivery. There is no sex predilection. Some cases are familial and others follow an autosomal-dominant pattern. Autosomal-dominant cerebral cavernous malformations are genetically heterogeneous with loci at 7q, 7p, and 3q. Genetic counseling may be appropriate for patients with a positive family history for cavernous malformations.