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CONTROVERSIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BRAINSTEM CAVERNOUS ANGIOMA: REPORT OF TWO CASES
Author(s) -
Sekhon Lali H. S.,
Morgan Michael K.,
Besser Michael,
Maixner Wirginia
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1992.tb06914.x
Subject(s) - medicine , natural history , brainstem , angioma , surgery , radiosurgery , medulla oblongata , surgical excision , medulla , hemangioma , intervention (counseling) , radiology , radiation therapy , vascular disease , anatomy , central nervous system , psychiatry , endocrinology
Two cases of cavernous angioma involving the medulla oblongata are presented. Both cases underwent surgical excision with excellent outcome. The use of surgery via craniectomy is contrasted with stereotactic radiosurgery in light of the known natural history of the lesions. As a result, it is suggested that surgical excision provides immediate protection from the risks of recurrent haemorrhage, establishes a tissue diagnosis, allows complete removal at the primary intervention, avoids complications of radiation‐induced damage and is performed more easily in these vascular anomalies due to the presence of a capsule with surrounding gliotic tissue. Additionally, it is implied that the natural history of lesions in this region is still unclear. For these reasons, it is suggested that surgical excision should be the primary therapeutic intervention for cavernous angiomata that involve the brainstem.