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- Six Common Questions About Cavernoma: All You Need to Know
Six Common Questions About Cavernoma: All You Need to Know
There are few conditions that can vary as much as a cavernoma, a raspberry-shaped cluster of abnormal blood vessels that look like a raspberry and can vary dramatically in terms of symptoms, effects and options for treatment at a neuroscience centre.
Many people who have a cavernoma will never experience symptoms or even know about it, but at the same time some can have life-threatening symptoms, so it is important to get one checked if you have any symptoms or it is picked up in a brain scan.
Whilst many of the specific symptoms can vary on a case-by-case basis and your neurologist will be best positioned to suggest the best course of treatment for you, there are some frequently asked questions which can be answered.
They often occur randomly, with roughly a fifth of all cavernoma cases believed to be genetic. It does, however, run in families, so couples planning to or who already have children should undergo genetic testing.
In some other cases, there have been links between cavernoma and radiation exposure, usually in the form of childhood radiotherapy.
One of the most commonly cited studies, including by the NHS, claims that one in 625 people (roughly 108,000 people) in the UK has an asymptomatic brain cavernoma.
Another study claims that one in 217 people (roughly 322,000 people) have a cavernoma, but only one in 2703 (around 25,000 people) have the condition with any symptoms, and around 160 people are diagnosed with a symptomatic cavernoma each year.
This means that it is a relatively rare condition to have at all, and extremely rare for it to have any symptoms.
The most common symptoms from it are internal brain bleeds when the malformed blood vessels burst, as well as headaches and seizures.
Sometimes it can have neurological effects, such as double vision, dizziness and slurred speech, and more rarely can cause issues with muscle weakness, numbness, fatigue, issues with concentration and memory problems.
Generally, these symptoms are found between the ages of 20 and 40, although they can be discovered at any age, often emerge more commonly in young people who have a hereditary cavernoma and the symptoms tend to be more serious in young children.
In most cases where it is not accidentally discovered, generally, people who experience one of the symptoms above will typically be tested to see if it is a cavernoma or if it can be ruled out.
In many cases, if there are no symptoms, or if there is no risk of the cavernoma bleeding and getting bigger (and thus causing more severe symptoms), a doctor might elect to wait and see.
Many cavernomas cause no symptoms and never need treating.In other cases, treatment will focus on managing symptoms to reduce headaches or stop seizures.
However, if there is a risk of bleeding in the future or if the symptoms are already severe, there are two main options for treatment.
The first and most referred option is neurosurgery, where the cavernoma is removed entirely. However, it cannot be done if the cavernoma is in the brain cell, spinal cord or deep in the brian itself.
In cases where surgery would be inappropriate, the alternative is stereotactic radiosurgery, where precise doses of radiation scar the cavernoma, thicken it and stop it from bleeding.
However, you will in most cases have to inform the DVLA as it could affect how you drive. This is particularly true if you have had seizures as a result of the cavernoma. You can be fined if you do not, and could even be prosecuted if you end up in a car accident that the DVLA believe was caused by a cavernoma symptom.
Many people who have a cavernoma will never experience symptoms or even know about it, but at the same time some can have life-threatening symptoms, so it is important to get one checked if you have any symptoms or it is picked up in a brain scan.
Whilst many of the specific symptoms can vary on a case-by-case basis and your neurologist will be best positioned to suggest the best course of treatment for you, there are some frequently asked questions which can be answered.
What Causes Cavernoma?
Whilst sometimes described as a growth or a tumour owing to its raspberry shape, it is a malformation of blood vessels and it is often not entirely clear what causes it.They often occur randomly, with roughly a fifth of all cavernoma cases believed to be genetic. It does, however, run in families, so couples planning to or who already have children should undergo genetic testing.
In some other cases, there have been links between cavernoma and radiation exposure, usually in the form of childhood radiotherapy.
How Common Is It?
According to a couple of studies, cavernoma is relatively uncommon but is not necessarily rare, but a cavernoma that causes symptoms is much rarer.One of the most commonly cited studies, including by the NHS, claims that one in 625 people (roughly 108,000 people) in the UK has an asymptomatic brain cavernoma.
Another study claims that one in 217 people (roughly 322,000 people) have a cavernoma, but only one in 2703 (around 25,000 people) have the condition with any symptoms, and around 160 people are diagnosed with a symptomatic cavernoma each year.
This means that it is a relatively rare condition to have at all, and extremely rare for it to have any symptoms.
What Are Its Symptoms?
Many people with cavernoma will not experience any symptoms at all, either because it is too small or is located in a place which does not affect the brain.The most common symptoms from it are internal brain bleeds when the malformed blood vessels burst, as well as headaches and seizures.
Sometimes it can have neurological effects, such as double vision, dizziness and slurred speech, and more rarely can cause issues with muscle weakness, numbness, fatigue, issues with concentration and memory problems.
Generally, these symptoms are found between the ages of 20 and 40, although they can be discovered at any age, often emerge more commonly in young people who have a hereditary cavernoma and the symptoms tend to be more serious in young children.
How Is It Diagnosed?
In many cases, it is diagnosed incidentally when an unrelated scan exploring other conditions or symptoms unearths it. They are most commonly diagnosed through a T2-star MRI scan, although other scans such as angiography and CT scans can sometimes find them.In most cases where it is not accidentally discovered, generally, people who experience one of the symptoms above will typically be tested to see if it is a cavernoma or if it can be ruled out.
How Is It Treated?
Treatment varies tremendously depending on where it is, the severity of symptoms, the numberof cavernoma clusters, the location and the individual circumstances of the person who has it.In many cases, if there are no symptoms, or if there is no risk of the cavernoma bleeding and getting bigger (and thus causing more severe symptoms), a doctor might elect to wait and see.
Many cavernomas cause no symptoms and never need treating.In other cases, treatment will focus on managing symptoms to reduce headaches or stop seizures.
However, if there is a risk of bleeding in the future or if the symptoms are already severe, there are two main options for treatment.
The first and most referred option is neurosurgery, where the cavernoma is removed entirely. However, it cannot be done if the cavernoma is in the brain cell, spinal cord or deep in the brian itself.
In cases where surgery would be inappropriate, the alternative is stereotactic radiosurgery, where precise doses of radiation scar the cavernoma, thicken it and stop it from bleeding.
Can You Drive With A Cavernoma
In some cases, you can, and your doctor or consultant will be best placed to advise you on whether the cavernoma might affect your driving.However, you will in most cases have to inform the DVLA as it could affect how you drive. This is particularly true if you have had seizures as a result of the cavernoma. You can be fined if you do not, and could even be prosecuted if you end up in a car accident that the DVLA believe was caused by a cavernoma symptom.
