The importance of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MRI) in the diagnosis of cerebral cavernomas

Introduction: Cavernomas are one of the four types of vascular malformations which develop in the central nervous system. From an imaging point of view, they are low flow small vessel malformations that cannot be seen on conventional angiography and are rarely visible on CT. They can be seen on MRI because of the para-magnetic haemoglobin break-down products within them. Case presentation: A 35 years old male presented at the emergency room following a tonic-clonic seizure, without urine emission. After a clinical exam, it was decided to perform a cerebral MRI with contrast substance and angiographic sequence. Clinical and imagistic results showed a superficial left temporal cavernoma, which showed signs of recent bleeding. After the surgery, the patient has no neurological deficits and is discharged afebrile and without any other symptoms. At 6 weeks after the surgery, the patients returned for neurosurgical reevaluation in perfect neurological condition, without motor deficit or intracranial hypertension. Conclusions: Cavernomas are angiographic cryptic vascular lesions that need an MRI investigation in order to appreciate them correctly.