Cavernous malformation tumors: a case study and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the current literature on the surgical management of cavernous malformations of the cerebellopontine angle in accordance with the experience at our institution.

METHODS

A systematic literature review on cavernous malformations of the cerebellopontine angle yielded 14 case reports relevant to the disease. In addition, the authors include their own report of a 16-year-old girl with such a lesion cured by surgical resection.

RESULTS

The most common clinical signs associated with this tumor are hearing loss (86.7%), followed by facial paresis (53.8%). Symptoms may be rapidly progressive. Cavernous malformations range from isointense to hyperintense to brain on noncontrasted T1 magnetic resonance imaging. In general, outcomes for patients with this tumor are favorable, with most patients cured by surgical resection.

CONCLUSION

One of the rarest lesions of the cerebellopontine angle is a cavernous malformation. An understanding of the clinical and radiographic differences between this lesion and a vestibular schwannoma helps to minimize perioperative morbidity. Surgical resection should be performed with special attention to preserving facial nerve function.