Pathology of cavernous malformations

Cerebrovascular malformations are classified as cavernous malformations (CMs), arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) and capillary telangiectasias (CTs). CMs are the second most common form of cerebrovascular malformation and constitute up to 10–15% of the total [1,2]. In the past, CMs were not visualized on radiological examinations such as CT scanning or angiography and were therefore referred to as angiographically occult or cryptic vascular malformations. Recent studies have resurrected the old suspicion that CMs are vascular tumors [3], hence the alternative terms cavernous hemangiomas, cavernomas, or cavernous angiomas. Clinical features of CMs include epilepsy (22–50%), focal deficits (20–45%), headaches (6–34%), or hemorrhages (up to 56%); CMs may also remain clinically silent (up to 40%) [4–8].