SURGICAL TREATMENT OF BRAIN STEM CAVERNOUS MALFORMATIONS

Cavernous malformations (CMs, cavernomas) are angiographically hidden vascular malformations with low blood flow, which can be found in various parts of the central nervous system and have a sinusoidal structure [1,3,7,8]. Microscopically, they represent accumulations of sinusoids formed by a collagen skeleton, lined with a single layer of endothelium and with presence of endothelial fenestrations, as well as gaps in intercellular junctions. A characteristic feature is the absence of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers in the walls of the cavities [1,8]. Clinical manifestations of CMs can appear at any age, but often appear between the 2nd and 5th decades of age.