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cavernous hemangioma

My sister is 29 years old and has a cavernous hemangioma in her brain stem.  It seems to wax and wane in size. When it gets inflamed she has trouble walking, breathing, swallowing, her face droops, and she cannot focus.  She has very bad headaches and has been put on medication for them that does not work.  She has seen a neurosurgeon who says there is not a lot that they can do because of where it is at.  Meanwhile, she is a single mother of three young children and has trouble even functioning sometimes. She has had several trips to the ER with admissions, but every time they tell her there is nothing they can do.  Does anybody know if there is some kind of surgery that is safe to do in the area of the brain stem?

Rhonnie446
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1025211 tn?1251977152
Cavernous angioma also known as CCM, is a vascular disorder.

The brain isn't the only place they appear, some people have them in the Liver
They are dilated blood vessels that don't have neuronal tissue

These appear on the skin too. Have you ever seen a baby with what is known as a strawberry or raspberry mark on the face ?

The brain stem controls the parts of the body that work on their own like heartbeat breathing digestion etc. so the doctor is afraid he's not skilled enough to help.
Try to find a Neurovascular surgeon
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
There is surgical treatment for Cavernous hemangiomas. It can be operated upon by using different approaches. Symptomatic brain stem cavernomas should be considered for surgical treatment. Careful selection of the suitable operative approach and a meticulous microsurgical technique are necessary. The additional use of tools such as neuronavigation, endoscopic assistance, and monitoring can contribute to the safety of the procedure. Please consult a good neurologist for the treatment. Hope this helps you. Take care and regards!
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