Cavernous malformations of the central nervous system (CNS) in children: clinico-radiological features and management outcomes of 36 cases

Surgical treatment of cavernous malformation-related epilepsy in children: case series, systematic review, and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are cerebral vascular lesions that occasionally occur with seizures. We present a retrospective case series from IRCCS Gaslini Children's Hospital, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of the literature with the goal of elucidating the post-surgery seizure outcome in children with CCMs.

METHODS

a retrospective review of children with cavernous malformation related epilepsy who underwent surgery at Gaslini Children's Hospital from 2005 to 2022 was conducted. We also conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus databases from January 1989 to August 2022. Inclusion criteria were: presence of CCMs-related epilepsy, in under 18 years old subjects with a clear lesion site. Presence of post-surgery seizure outcome and follow-up ≥ 12 months.

RESULTS

we identified 30 manuscripts and 223 patients with CCMs-related epilepsy, including 17 patients reported in our series. We identified 85.7% Engel class I subjects. The risk of expected neurological deficits was 3.7%; that of unexpected neurological deficits 2.8%. We found no statistically significant correlations between Engel class and the following factors: site of lesion, type of seizure, drug resistance, duration of disease, type of surgery, presence of multiple CCMs. However, we found some interesting trends: longer disease duration and drug resistance seem to be more frequent in subjects in Engel class II, III and IV; multiple cavernomas would not seem to influence seizure outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

epilepsy surgery in children with CCMs is a safe and successful treatment option. Further studies are necessary to define the impact of clinical features on seizure prognosis.

Surgical management of lobar cerebral cavernous malformations in children: a single-center experience

PURPOSE

We aimed to determine the surgical indications and postoperative outcomes among pediatric patients with lobar cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed pediatric patients operated on for lobar CCM between March 2010 and August 2021. Indications for surgery included (1) intracranial hemorrhage, (2) symptomatic superficially located lesion, and (3) asymptomatic CCM in non-eloquent area in case of strong parental preferences. Patients presenting with seizures were assessed using Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients were included. The predominant symptoms were seizures (57.1%), headaches (33.3%), and focal neurological deficits (23.8%). Patients were qualified for surgery due to symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (47.6%), drug-resistant epilepsy (28.6%), and focal neurological deficits (9.5%). Three patients (14.3%) were asymptomatic. A gross total resection of CCM with the surrounding hemosiderin rim was achieved in all patients. The mean follow-up was 52 months. No patient experienced surgery-related complications. In all individuals with a preoperative first episode of seizures or focal neurological deficits, the symptoms subsided. All six patients with drug-resistant epilepsy improved to Engel classes I (67%) and II (33%).

CONCLUSION

Surgical removal of symptomatic lobar CCMs in properly selected candidates remains a safe option. Parental preferences may be considered a sole qualifying criterion for asymptomatic lobar CCM excision.

Management of pediatric cerebral cavernous malformations with gamma knife radiosurgery: a report of 46 cases

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are commonly treated vascular anomalies with different clinical characteristics than their adult counterparts. Outcomes of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) for pediatric CCMs have not explicitly been reported. This paper reports our experience in managing pediatric CCMs with GKRS.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical features, GKRS parameters, and clinical and radiological outcomes of 46 children with 64 CCMs.

RESULTS

A total of 46 children, including 19 girls and 27 boys, with a median age of 16 years (3-17 years), were enrolled in the study. The median age at first CCM diagnosis was 13 years (range, 2-17 years). Twenty-two patients (47.8%) had more than one neurological symptom at the time of diagnosis, and the most common presenting symptom was seizure (28.3%). The most common location was supratentorial superficial (53.1%), and 17.4% of patients had multiple CCMs. A developmental venous anomaly was detected in 5 patients (10.9%). During a total of 52.4 retrospective patient-years in patients with > 1 hemorrhage episode, the calculated annual hemorrhage rate was 40.1%. The median post-GKRS follow-up was 79 months (range, 19-175 months), with an overall 306.2 prospective patient years. The annual hemorrhage rate (AHR) during the first 2 years after GKRS and after the initial 2 years was 1.11% and 0.46%, respectively. Regarding clinical factors and GKRS parameters, univariate analysis revealed a significant association with post-GKRS AHR and volume (p = 0.023) only. Patients with pre-GKRS seizures showed favorable seizure control (Engel class I and II) in 8 children (61.5%). There was no mortality in our series.

CONCLUSION

Low AHR following GKRS with no radiation-induced toxicity makes GKRS a therapeutic alternative for pediatric CCMs.

Presentation and management of nervous system cavernous malformations in children: A systematic review and case report

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CMs) are slow-flow vascular lesions that affect up to 0.5% of the pediatric population. These lesions are at risk for hemorrhage, causing seizures, and leading to neurological deficits. Here, we conduct a literature review and then present a report of a supratentorial CM in a 2-year-old patient with no significant past medical history who presented at our institution with 1 month of eye twitching. We performed a literature search of five databases of all articles published before 2020. Our inclusion criteria included cohort and case series of children with mean age under 12 years. Our search yielded 497 unique articles, of which 16 met our inclusion criteria. In our pooled literature analysis, a total of 558 children were included, 8.3% of which had a positive family history and 15.9% had multiple CMs. About 46.1% of the children had seizures, and 88.4% of those who underwent surgery had a total resection. About 85.1% of those with epilepsy were Engel Class 1 postsurgery. Over a mean follow-up of 4.1 years, 3.4% of patients had additional neurological deficits, including paresis and speech deficits. Our analysis of published literature shows surgical intervention should be considered first-line therapy for patients who are symptomatic from CM, present with seizure, and have surgically accessible lesions. Additional work is needed on outcomes and long-term effects of minimally invasive treatments, including radiosurgery and laser ablation, in pediatric populations.

Natural Course of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations in Children: A Five-Year Follow-Up Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the natural course of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) in the pediatric population, with special emphasis on the risk of first and recurrent bleeding over a 5-year period.

METHODS

Our institutional database was screened for patients with CCM treated between 2003 and 2020. Patients ≤18 years of age with complete magnetic resonance imaging data set, clinical baseline characteristics, and ≥1 follow-up examination were included. Surgically treated individuals were censored after CCM removal. We assessed the impact of various parameters on first or recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at diagnosis using univariate and multivariate logistic regression adjusted for age and sex. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the cumulative 5-year risk for (re)hemorrhage.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-nine pediatric patients with CCM were analyzed. Univariate logistic regression identified brain stem CCM (odds ratio, 3.15 [95% CI, 1.15-8.63], P=0.026) and familial history of CCM (odds ratio, 2.47 [95% CI, 1.04-5.86], P=0.041) as statistically significant predictors of ICH at diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed this correlation (odds ratio, 3.62 [95% CI, 1.18-8.99], P=0.022 and odds ratio, 2.53 [95% CI, 1.07-5.98], P=0.035, respectively). Cox regression analysis identified ICH as mode of presentation (hazard ratio, 14.01 [95% CI, 1.80-110.39], P=0.012) as an independent predictor for rehemorrhage during the 5-year follow-up. The cumulative 5-year risk of (re)bleeding was 15.9% (95% CI, 10.2%-23.6%) for the entire cohort, 30.2% (20.2%-42.3%) for pediatric patients with ICH at diagnosis, and 29.5% (95% CI, 13.9%-51.1%) for children with brain stem CCM.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric patients with brain stem CCM and familial history of CCM have a higher risk of ICH as mode of presentation. During untreated 5-year follow-up, they revealed a similar risk of (re)hemorrhage compared to adult patients. The probability of (re)bleeding increases over time, especially in cases with ICH at presentation or brain stem localization.

Clinical features and long-term outcomes of pediatric spinal cord cavernous malformation-a report of 18 cases and literature review

PURPOSE

Pediatric intramedullary spinal cord cavernous malformation (ISCM) is a rare vascular disease with unclear natural history and long-term outcomes. We aim to determine the demographics, hemorrhagic risk, and long-term outcomes of this rare entity.

METHODS

A retrospective review of clinical data and treatment outcomes of pediatric patients treated with ISCM in our institution from 3/2000 to 3/2017 was conducted. In addition, we performed a systematic review of the literature on pediatric ISCM.

RESULTS

Eighteen consecutive pediatric patients were included, with an average age of 12.9 ± 4.7 years (range: 4-18 years) and 66.7% being male. Locations were equally distributed in cervical and thoracic segments, with mean extension of 1.3 ± 0.7 segments. Clinical manifestation included extremity weakness (n = 15, 83.3%), pain (n = 10, 55.6%), sensory disorders (n = 8, 44.4%), sphincter disturbance (n = 6, 33.3%), muscular atrophy (n = 3, 16.7%), and spinal deformity (n = 1, 5.6%). Most patients presented with acute symptoms (n = 11, 61.1%), and 7 (38.9%) of them had severe neurological deficits. The annual retrospective hemorrhagic risk was 7.7 per patient-year. Two patients received conservative management, with one improved neurologically and the other remained unchanged. Total resection was achieved in 12 (75%) of the 16 surgical cases, with 8 patients (50%) improved their clinical outcomes, 7 patients (43.8%) remained unchanged, and 1 (6.3%) worsened. During follow-up, one patient had relapse of ISCM.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric ISCM appears to have higher hemorrhage risk than their adult counterparts, and they can benefit from surgery whether in the acute phase of neurological deterioration or after clinical recuperation.

Neurovascular disease and syndromes: Diagnosis and therapy in children

The pediatric neurovascular disease runs the chronologic spectrum with dramatic changes in the presentation, evaluation, and treatment from the prenatal, perinatal, and infant periods through childhood and adolescence. These diseases are often dynamic throughout this period and the dynamic continues throughout life. There are four major categories: high-flow arteriovenous shunting lesions, arterial aneurysms, low-flow vascular lesions, and vascular occlusive disease. The high-flow lesions can be subdivided into a vein of Galen malformation, non-Galenic arteriovenous fistula, dural sinus malformations and fistula, and arteriovenous malformation. Low-flow vascular lesions include cerebral cavernous malformation, developmental venous anomaly, and capillary telangiectasia. The cerebrovascular occlusive disease can be divided between arterial occlusive disease and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. The presentation of each of these entities can be very similar, especially in younger children; however, imaging and laboratory analysis can establish the diagnosis leading to the most appropriate therapy. A multidisciplinary team, dedicated to treating pediatric cerebrovascular disease, is important in delivering the best outcomes in these complex diseases. Given the relative rarity of pediatric presentation of cerebrovascular disease, many apply adult concepts to children. A better understanding of the diseases and their difference from adults makes a critical difference in selecting the correct approach.

Resection of an anterolateral mesencephalic cavernoma via transsylvian/transuncal approach in a child

This video demonstrates the resection of an anterolateral mesencephalic cavernous malformation (CM) through a transsylvian/transuncal approach. A 10-year-old girl presented with progressive headache and left-sided spastic hemiparesis. Neuroimaging revealed a 20-mm CM located in the right anterolateral midbrain/cerebral peduncle. After orbitozygomatic craniotomy and wide sylvian fissure opening, the oculomotor nerve was dissected and separated from the temporal lobe. Partial resection of the uncus allowed access to the CM through the oculomotor-tentorial triangle. The CM was excised in a piecemeal fashion. Postoperative imaging confirmed the gross-total resection. The patient had no additional neurological deficits postoperatively. Her left hemiparesis almost completely resolved at the 12-month follow-up.

The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/Jb_EaWbn5LU.

Indications and Imaging Modality of Choice in Pediatric Headache

Pediatric headache is a common problem, with various underlying causes. Appropriate patient selection for neuroimaging is necessary to optimize the clinical evaluation. This review aims to provide a focused discussion of the clinical evaluation of children with headache, including published guidelines pertaining to neuroimaging, technical considerations for neuroimaging, and tailoring of examinations for specific clinical entities known to cause pediatric headache.

Surgical treatment of an asymptomatic giant supratentorial cavernous hemangioma. Case report

A case is reported of a 19-year old patient with a supratentorial giant cavernous malformation (GCM). This was an incidental finding in the context of acute head trauma. Brain computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant supratentorial right mass. Surgical excision was performed, and histopathology findings were consistent with a cavernous malformation (CM). The patient had a complete neurological recovery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a GCM in an asymptomatic patient with total surgical excision.

Frontal Lobe Cavernous Malformations in Pediatric Patients: Clinical Features and Surgical Outcomes

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical manifestations, surgical treatment, and neurologic outcomes of frontal lobe cavernous malformations in children. A retrospective analysis of 23 pediatric frontal lobe cavernous malformation patients who underwent surgical treatment in Beijing Tiantan Hospital was performed. The case series included 16 boys and 7 girls. Gross total removal without surgical mortality was achieved in all patients. The mean follow-up period after surgery was 33.1 months. Two patients who left hospital with motor deficits gradually recovered after rehabilitative treatment, and other patients were considered to be in excellent clinical condition. For symptomatic frontal lobe cavernous malformations, neurosurgical management should be the treatment of choice. Conservative treatment may be warranted in asymptomatic frontal lobe cavernous malformations, especially the deep-seated or eloquently located cases.

Cavernous malformations of central nervous system in pediatric patients: our single-centered experience in 50 patients and review of literature

PURPOSE

Cavernous malformations (CMs) are rare developmental cerebrovascular malformations of the central nervous system with a childhood prevalence of 0.3 to 0.53%. Our purpose was to assess the clinical features and microsurgical outcome in pediatric central nervous system (CNS) CMs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled all the CM patients admitted to our institute from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2014. Data was analyzed for their clinical features and surgical outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients with CMs (30 supratentorial, 14 infratentorial, and 6 spinal) with a mean age of 14 years (3-18 years, SD ±4.64) were enrolled into the study. Most of these patients (78%) were male. Size varied from 1.2 to 6 cm. Three patients had multiple CMs. Symptoms of CMs were site specific. Seizure was the most common symptom (63.3%) of CMs at supratentorial location followed by headache (46%) and neurodeficiency (26%), while all brainstem and spinal CMs presented with neurodeficiencies. History of clinically significant acute hemorrhage was present in 19.2% of supratentorial (ST) superficial CMs, 50% of ST deep CMs, 25% of cerebellar CMs, 44.4% of brainstem CMs, and 50% of spinal CMs. Forty-five CMs in 44 patients were surgically excised. Their follow-up ranged from 6 to 162 months (mean 47.2 months, SD ±53). All supratentorial CM patients showed improvement in their symptoms. Patients with preoperative seizure showed good seizure control with Engel scale I in 16 (94.1%) and Engel scale II in 1 (5.9%). In infratentorial (IT) and spinal CM patients, 92.3 and 66.7% had improvement in their neurodeficiencies, respectively. There was no mortality in our series.

CONCLUSION

Microsurgical excision of CNS CM results in excellent neurological outcome in pediatric patients. Early intervention is necessary in spinal CMs for better outcome.

Awad I, Dahlem K, Flemming K, Hart B, Kim H, Jusue-Torres I, Kondziolka D, Lee C, Morrison L, Rigamonti D, Rebeiz T, Tournier-Lasserve E, Waggoner D, Whitehead K. Synopsis of Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: Consensus Recommendations Based on Systematic Literature Review by the Angioma Alliance Scientific Advisory Board Clinical Experts Panel

BACKGROUND

Despite many publications about cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), controversy remains regarding diagnostic and management strategies.

OBJECTIVE

To develop guidelines for CCM management.

METHODS

The Angioma Alliance ( www.angioma.org ), the patient support group in the United States advocating on behalf of patients and research in CCM, convened a multidisciplinary writing group comprising expert CCM clinicians to help summarize the existing literature related to the clinical care of CCM, focusing on 5 topics: (1) epidemiology and natural history, (2) genetic testing and counseling, (3) diagnostic criteria and radiology standards, (4) neurosurgical considerations, and (5) neurological considerations. The group reviewed literature, rated evidence, developed recommendations, and established consensus, controversies, and knowledge gaps according to a prespecified protocol.

RESULTS

Of 1270 publications published between January 1, 1983 and September 31, 2014, we selected 98 based on methodological criteria, and identified 38 additional recent or relevant publications. Topic authors used these publications to summarize current knowledge and arrive at 23 consensus management recommendations, which we rated by class (size of effect) and level (estimate of certainty) according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association criteria. No recommendation was level A (because of the absence of randomized controlled trials), 11 (48%) were level B, and 12 (52%) were level C. Recommendations were class I in 8 (35%), class II in 10 (43%), and class III in 5 (22%).

CONCLUSION

Current evidence supports recommendations for the management of CCM, but their generally low levels and classes mandate further research to better inform clinical practice and update these recommendations. The complete recommendations document, including the criteria for selecting reference citations, a more detailed justification of the respective recommendations, and a summary of controversies and knowledge gaps, was similarly peer reviewed and is available on line www.angioma.org/CCMGuidelines .

Multiple cerebrospinal cavernous angiomas

Cavernous angiomas represent 5–12% of all spinal vascular lesions and 1% of all intramedullary lesions in pediatric patients. Intramedullary spinal cavernomas are relatively rare with only 24 cases reported till date to the best of our knowledge. A 15 -year-old boy presented to the clinic with acute onset motor weakness in all four limbs. He was diagnosed with multiple cerebral cavernomas and an acutely bleeding spinal cavernoma. Complete surgical excision of the spinal cavernoma was done. Postoperatively the patient's weakness gradually improved to a power of 4/5 in all his limbs over a period of 10 days. Only 24 cases of pediatric spinal cavernomas have been reported in the current literature. Current consensus on management of these rare lesions is based on previously published case reports/series and surgery appears to be the only definitive treatment. Further studies regarding any non-surgical expectant management appears warranted.

Cerebellar cavernous malformation in pediatric patients: defining clinical, neuroimaging, and therapeutic characteristics

OBJECT

Cerebellar cavernous malformations (CCMs) have not been specifically described in the pediatric age group. Authors of this study, after considering the published literature, describe the characteristic clinical, radiological, and surgical features of CCM in children. METHOSDS: Patients younger than 18 years of age who were known to have CCM and had undergone surgery between 1992 and 2014 at the authors' institution were reviewed. Pediatric CCM cases reported in the literature (case reports and cases included in series on CMs in the pediatric age group) were also analyzed for specific features of this entity.

RESULTS

Four male patients and 1 female patient (2.5-14 years of age) with CCM presented acutely with severe headache followed by cerebellar dysfunction. In all patients, neuroimaging (cranial CT and MRI) demonstrated hemorrhagic cerebellar lesions with heterogeneous T1 and T2 signal intensities and hyperintense blooming on susceptibility-weighted imaging. The lesions reached large sizes exhibiting spherical, cystic, and often "pseudotumoral" morphology. In 3 patients, developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) were found. In 4 of the 5 patients, the CCMs and hematomas were totally removed. All patients had a clinically excellent functional outcome without surgical complication and with complete resolution of their presenting symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Cerebellar CMs occur in all pediatric age groups and display characteristic clinical and imaging features. In children, CCMs reach large sizes and can result in massive hemorrhage, often leading to a possible diagnosis of hemorrhage into a tumor. An associated DVA is quite common. Surgery is a safe and efficient treatment option with excellent outcomes in patients.

Paraventricular or centrum ovale cavernous hemangioma involving the pyramidal tract in children: intraoperative MRI and functional neuronavigation-guided resection

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we investigated whether visualization of the pyramidal tract and intraoperative MRI combined with functional navigation was helpful in the resection of paraventricular or centrum ovale cavernous hemangioma in children.

METHODS

Twelve patients with cavernous hemangioma located in the paraventricular area or in the centrum ovale adjacent to the pyramidal tract were prospectively enrolled in the study. The pyramidal tract of all patients was visualized preoperatively, and all patients underwent tailored craniotomy with white matter trajectory to resect the lesion, with the help of intraoperative MRI and microscope-based functional neuronavigation.

RESULTS

In our study, of the total of 12 patients (nine males and three females), five patients had lesions on the left side, and seven had lesions located in the right hemisphere. The lesion volume varied from 0.2 to 11.45 cm(3). In seven cases, the distance of the lesion from the pyramidal tract was 0-5 mm (the 0-5 mm group), and five cases were in the 5-10 mm group. The 3D visualization of the lesion and the pyramidal tract helped the surgeon design the optimal surgical approach and trajectory. Intraoperative functional neuronavigation allowed them to obtain access to the lesion accurately and precisely. All lesions had been removed totally at the end of the surgery. Compared with the preoperative level, muscle strength at 2 weeks had decreased in six cases, was unchanged in four cases, and improved in two cases; at 3 months, it was improved in five cases, unchanged in six cases, and decreased in one case.

CONCLUSIONS

Pyramidal tract visualization and intraoperative MRI combined with functional neuronavigation can aid in safe removal of paraventricular or centrum ovale cavernous hemangioma involving the pyramidal tract.