Vascular Malformations of the Brain

Cavernous Malformations

A cavernous malformation (CM), sometimes called cavernous angioma or cavernoma, is a small, berry-like mass of expanded blood vessels. The condition occurs relatively frequently in children. These blood vessel malformations obtain their blood supply from very small low-flow blood vessels in the brain, as opposed to certain high flow arterial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), which have large amounts of rapid blood flow coursing through them. Cavernous angiomas can range from less than dime-sized to larger than orange-sized.

Cavernous malformations can form throughout the body, but those in the brain and spinal cord are dangerous. The risk comes from their tendency to bleed, which can put pressure on nearby brain tissue and interfere with the functions controlled by that area of the brain. The symptoms your child experiences will, therefore, vary with the location of the malformation.