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Information on Cavernous Hemangioma

Hello, My Husband Was diagnosed with a Cavernous Hemangioma five Months ago.  It presented with severe headaches and visual distortion, an E.E.G. showed an abnormality with frequent discharges of focal 3-5 Hz slowing in the left mid to anterior temporal region.  An M.R.I. showed up a calcified mass which had recently bled of 2 cm. in size. It is in a very deep area of the brain and surgery could be very dangerous unless his life was threatened and then it would be tried. His treatment is regular M.R.I. scans and Tegretol to prevent seizures.  My question is are there any other treatment or medication for this complaint or is it possible to live a long and reasonable life without intervention.

We live in the Republic of Ireland but would be willing to travel if any type of treatment were available elswhere.

Thank you

Phyllis Catherine
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A related discussion, Nruropathy pain vitamin available was started.
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Subject: Cavernous Malformation--Need for Another Neurologist's Insight

Approximately 3 years ago I suffered a stroke which involved a hemorrhage in the brain.  After many visits to the hospital and numerous MRI's, the problem eventually was diagnosed by a neurologist as a cavernous malformation.  (Initially the bleeding was suspected to have been caused by a tumor in the brain.)

Within a month or so of my original stroke, I began to experience seizures...and tegretol was prescribed as my anti-seizure medicine.  The first seizures involved a temporary numbnous in one of the arms, a drooping lip, a drooping eyelid, and a temporary loss of speech.  My dosage of tegretol was increased from 1 pill a day, to 2 pills a day, and finally to 3 pills a day.  3 tegretols a day seemed to prevent any further seizures until December 10 of last year.

On December 10, 1999, I passed out in a restaurant.  I was unconscious for 5 minutes or so.  Paramedics were called and they revived me with oxygen.  Because of my stroke history, they insisted on taking me to the emergency clinic.  Neither the paramedics nor the doctor in the emergency clinic could find any apparent cause of the passing out.  Nor could my regular doctor the next day.  In each case, all my vital signs were normal.  My regular doctor suspected, however, that the passing out was another form of seizure, different than any previous manifestations of a seizure.

Last week, I took another MRI as part of my annual medical checkup.  The neurologist told me that he could see signs of a new bleed in December.  Moreover, he suggested to me that the time for a surgical removal of the cavernous malformation had come. But, the final decision should be made by me because I am 74 years old this year.  If I do not have the cavernous malformation removed, I am likely to have more frequent and more serious seizures.  On the other hand, he cannot tell how many years of a quality life I will have even if the cavernous malformation is removed.  (Except for the cavernous malformation problem, I am in excellent health and physical condition.)

The cavernous malformation is in the left temporal area. I would guess that it is located about inch or so below the skullbone.

What would you recommend that I do about surgery vs. just letting the malformation remain in place and hoping that the tetretol will prevent a seizure so bad that it will not result in either death or a major paralysis?  I am looking for another neurologist's insight.

Bert
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my mri says there is probable focal hemangioma change of t4-im confused what does that mean? is it serious? thanks
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I am seeking information on Cavernous Haemangioma located in the spinal cord. Information dealing with surgical proceedures, recovery times, post surgery effects etc.. would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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I also have a cavernous haemangioma and have had two episodes of symptoms as a result.  I am trying to find out information about how I can manage the lingering symptoms without drugs.  I am 43yo and the haemangioma is located in the brain stem. Surgery is possible but could be dangerous due to the location. On both occasions I have had numbness of the r side of my face, head and neck. The most recent episode was in June this year. I had difficulty with my speech, swallowing, coughing and suffered from regular bouts of hiccoughs. I also developed weakness in my left side. My face drooped on the right side. Most symptoms have subsided but I still have a burning sensation R side of my face, which can be very uncomfortable. I am trying to find some practical help to ease this problem.  Any ideas???
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Has anyone heard of Venus Angioma?A friend of mine's son is diagnosed with VA and the location is right around the brain stem . What kind of treatment available and what is the prognasis? If anyone know about any facility or neurosurgeon dealing with venus angioma please let me know . Thanking in anticipation .
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Amy
Hello.  I just wanted to say that I too have a Cavernnous Hemagioma.  A few weeks ago I had a Thalmic Bleed.  I am 35. I was in the same boat as your husband.  The area with the problem is in the center of the brain and surgery would be very dangerous unless it was life threatening.  Like you there is no alternative therapy available.  I have not found alot of information which discusses the likelihood of rebleed which is sort of concerning to me.  I never had any symptoms before the bleed.  I am having headaches since the bleed.  I just wanted to make a post to say you are not alone. :)
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Color MRI for mapping spinal bacterial colonies
Mycoplasma in  synovium / cartilage/ Myelium sheath have compound  excreations which can be tagged electronically for 3D modeling population densities at - and migrating between - affected sites IE spine / Knee etc. Especially in cases of traumatic paralisis where CNS regrowth is inhibited.
Mycoplasma are undetectable via standard lab procedures as they die so quickly. Mapping routes and high densities for intervention in real time may save mobility for many patients.
There are some connections to HPV / adapose / connective tissues and bacterial migrations /spread, MRI traces of combined elements or overlapping separate models have promise of high diagnostic accuracy /for treatment protocols.

Are there any research projects of mapping Human bacteria with MRI currently under study?
Thank You for your time and response
Will
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I sounds like the approach being adopted in your husbands case is very reasonable. The regular surveilance with MRI scans keeps the problem under close scrutiny and Tegretol should prevent recurrence eof the seizures.
There is no alternative to this approach apart from surgery which has sensibly been deferred.
It is certainly possible to live a normal life with this problem,
it might never have even been discovered if it were not for the recent bleed.
I would suggest that you seek a further opinion if and when the possibility of surgery is mentioned ( it may never reach that point ). A procedure like gamma knife surgery might be appropriate in his case, in the meantime however it sounds like the plan is appropriate.
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