Cavernous Angioma
Leaders in Cavernous Angioma (Malformation) Care
Stanford Health Care has created a multidisciplinary center where you can receive compassionate, personalized care for a cavernous angioma. We are a certified Center of Excellence with the Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformation.
213 Quarry Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Phone: 650-723-5575
What We Offer You for Cavernous Angioma Care
As a leader in comprehensive care for this rare condition, Stanford Health Care offers:
- Specialized treatment from a globally regarded and compassionate team. Go to Conditions Treated
- Thoughtfully designed, holistic care team that draws from a number of medical and surgical specialties.
Go to Your Care Team - Comprehensive approach to screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.
OVERVIEW
SYMPTOMS
DIAGNOSIS
Cavernous angiomas are rare, affecting up to 50,000 patients per year in the United States. The condition is also known as cavernous malformation, cavernous hemangioma, cavernous vascular malformation, and angiographically occult vascular malformation (not visible on angiography).
A cavernous angioma is a vascular abnormality in the brain and/or spine. This irregularity causes the body to leak small amounts of blood in the area of the angioma. The leakage can lead to severe bleeding (hemorrhage) if left untreated.
DID YOU KNOW?
- About 1 in 100 to 200 people have cavernous angiomas.
- About 1 in 4 people with cavernous angiomas in the brain never have symptoms.
Many affected people are born with cavernous angiomas, which can have a familial (genetic) connection. Other people develop the condition after receiving radiation therapy to the brain. But the majority of cavernous angiomas are not linked to any specific cause.
A cavernous angioma (malformation) can change over time. It can multiply or even disappear on its own. Most people who have symptoms are between 20 and 50 years old. Symptoms include:
- Changes in vision
- Headaches
- Numbness or weakness
- Trouble with swallowing, speech, or understanding language
- Difficulty with memory
- Seizures
Diagnostic tests for cavernous angiomas can include:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Different types of MRI tests will gather the most accurate images of the angioma. These can include:
- Traditional MRI, which scans the structure of the angioma
- Functional MRI (fMRI), which maps the relationship between the angioma and brain structures responsible for language, movement and sensation, vision, and balance
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), which looks for deformities deep in the nerve fibers of the brain tissue
- BRAVO, which uses ultrafast MRI technology for 3D images of brain tissue volume
- GRE and SWAN can detect even the smallest malformations in all areas of the brain if they’ve ever leaked blood.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
We use this test for patients who are unable to have an MRI. It takes a series of X-rays from different angles. The X-rays are analyzed by a computer to show a cross-section of the cavernous angioma.
Sometimes cavernous angiomas are discovered during an MRI or CT scan for another condition. If so, your doctor may monitor the angioma with regular testing.
3D Virtual Reality Neurosimulation
Stanford Health Care utilizes a novel, advanced 3D virtual reality neurosurgical simulation system that allows preoperative and intraoperative integration of various MRI and CT imaging modalities. The system improves patient engagement/satisfaction and provides for safer surgery.
Cavernous angiomas are rare, affecting up to 50,000 patients per year in the United States. The condition is also known as cavernous malformation, cavernous hemangioma, cavernous vascular malformation, and angiographically occult vascular malformation (not visible on angiography).
A cavernous angioma is a vascular abnormality in the brain and/or spine. This irregularity causes the body to leak small amounts of blood in the area of the angioma. The leakage can lead to severe bleeding (hemorrhage) if left untreated.
DID YOU KNOW?
- About 1 in 100 to 200 people have cavernous angiomas.
- About 1 in 4 people with cavernous angiomas in the brain never have symptoms.
Many affected people are born with cavernous angiomas, which can have a familial (genetic) connection. Other people develop the condition after receiving radiation therapy to the brain. But the majority of cavernous angiomas are not linked to any specific cause.
close OVERVIEW
A cavernous angioma (malformation) can change over time. It can multiply or even disappear on its own. Most people who have symptoms are between 20 and 50 years old. Symptoms include:
- Changes in vision
- Headaches
- Numbness or weakness
- Trouble with swallowing, speech, or understanding language
- Difficulty with memory
- Seizures
close SYMPTOMS
Diagnostic tests for cavernous angiomas can include:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Different types of MRI tests will gather the most accurate images of the angioma. These can include:
- Traditional MRI, which scans the structure of the angioma
- Functional MRI (fMRI), which maps the relationship between the angioma and brain structures responsible for language, movement and sensation, vision, and balance
- Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), which looks for deformities deep in the nerve fibers of the brain tissue
- BRAVO, which uses ultrafast MRI technology for 3D images of brain tissue volume
- GRE and SWAN can detect even the smallest malformations in all areas of the brain if they’ve ever leaked blood.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
We use this test for patients who are unable to have an MRI. It takes a series of X-rays from different angles. The X-rays are analyzed by a computer to show a cross-section of the cavernous angioma.
Sometimes cavernous angiomas are discovered during an MRI or CT scan for another condition. If so, your doctor may monitor the angioma with regular testing.
3D Virtual Reality Neurosimulation
Stanford Health Care utilizes a novel, advanced 3D virtual reality neurosurgical simulation system that allows preoperative and intraoperative integration of various MRI and CT imaging modalities. The system improves patient engagement/satisfaction and provides for safer surgery.
close DIAGNOSIS
The Alliance to Cure Cavernous Malformations has awarded our program Center of Excellence status. Stanford Health Care has treated more than a thousand patients with cavernous angiomas and achieved excellent long-term outcomes. We have special expertise in treating high-risk malformations, including those in the brainstem, thalamus (right above the brainstem), and basal ganglia (white matter deep in the brain), and critical motor, sensory, and visual areas.
Traditional open surgery
A neurosurgeon will perform an open surgery when the malformation is easily accessible on the surface of the brain or spinal cord. The surgeon determines the best approach based on the size and position of the angioma. Most angiomas are between one-quarter inch and 4 inches in size.
Minimally invasive surgery
We use new computer-guided navigation developed here at Stanford to treat cavernous angiomas in the deepest parts of the brain. The procedure requires only a small incision and allows us to operate on malformations with greater precision and lower risk.
Advanced carbon dioxide (CO2) laser surgery
The CO2 laser uses a 0.5 mm laser fiber to provide greater accuracy, less bleeding, and reduced damage to surrounding tissues. This makes it an excellent surgical option for safely removing cavernous malformations from high-risk areas of the brain.
Clinical Trials
Cavernous Angioma Research
We are investigating the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as a noninvasive treatment. The procedure uses a specific frequency of sound waves to find, target, and destroy the malformation damaging the surrounding tissue.
We are studying a new drug therapy to test if medicine can stabilize malformations to prevent future hemorrhage without surgery in adult patients.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
Your Cavernous Angioma Care Team
Stanford Health Care offers one of the nation’s few multidisciplinary centers for the care of cavernous angiomas. We focus on improving each patient’s quality of life with compassion and an understanding of your unique needs. Our expert team partners with patients and caregivers throughout all stages of care—from initial evaluation and diagnosis to treatment and long-term management.
Your Doctors
Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeons
Neurosurgeons specialize in diagnosing and using surgery to treat conditions and injuries that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Cerebrovascular neurosurgeons have advanced training in the care of neurovascular diseases, which are conditions affecting blood vessels supplying the brain and spinal cord.
View All {0} Cerebrovascular Neurosurgeons »Dermatologists
These doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the skin.
View All {0} Dermatologists »Epileptologists
Epilepsy specialists (or epileptologists) are doctors who specialize in neurology (brain, spinal cord, and nervous system care), epilepsy, and seizure disorders. They are experts in using medications and other nonsurgical options to treat epilepsy and seizures.
View All {0} Epilepsy Specialists »Neuro-Ophthalmologists
Neuro-ophthalmologists specialize in visual problems related to the nervous system, including loss of sight due to injury to the brain or the optic nerves.
View All {0} Neuro-ophthalmology Specialists »Neuroradiologists
Neuroradiologists are doctors who specialize in interpreting diagnostic imaging of the brain and nervous system. They work behind the scenes to help provide an accurate image of the brain to show possible structural causes of seizures.
View All {0} Neuroradiologists »Pediatric Neurologists
Pediatric neurologists specialize in conditions of the brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system affecting children.
View All {0} Pediatric Neurologists »Vascular Neurologists
Vascular neurologists are medical doctors with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system. They treat conditions such as stroke.
View All {0} Stroke And Vascular Neurologists »Stanford is an Academic Medical Center, which is a type of hospital setting where doctors teach the entire spectrum of medical education. Students range from beginning medical students to fully licensed and practicing doctors completing advanced sub-specialty training. Stanford Medicine is a partnership between Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Health Care. Since Stanford is a teaching hospital, you can expect to meet many providers and providers in training.
- Attending Physician: a doctor who supervises doctors in training or in medical school
- Fellow: a doctor doing postgraduate level work and specializing in care of patients with specific conditions
- Resident: a doctor who has graduated from medical school and is in training (also called “residency”) here at Stanford. A resident is also called an intern
- Medical Student: a student who is currently enrolled in medical school with the goal of becoming a doctor
Extended Care Team
Your extended care team will support your diagnosis and treatment, particularly during recovery after surgery. This team includes:
Neuropsychologists/Neuropsychiatrists work with your doctor to support your mental functioning assessment and brain health.
Rehab specialists
- Occupational therapists are skilled practitioners who provide rehabilitation care to help you regain strength and functional ability during and after treatment. They help you with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, managing your medications, and driving.
- Physical therapists work with you and your family to recover your physical function after treatment, such as improving your:
- Strength, especially in the upper body
- Sensation, to relieve numbness in treated areas
- Range of motion, to reduce stiffness and pain
- Movement control, to improve endurance and reduce fatigue
Advanced practice providers work with your neurologist to help with diagnosis and treatment. APPs may recommend medications, lifestyle changes, and services such as genetic counseling. An APP can be a nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
Speech and language pathologists are experts in communication. The speech pathologists with the Stanford Medicine Neuroscience program have added training to help people with various neurological conditions that may affect their ability to speak or swallow.
Genetic counselor for counseling on familial incidence and diagnosis when indicated.
Support Services
We offer a wide range of support services to promote healing and improve your quality of life.
Stanford Health Care makes it easy to access care from our Cavernous Angioma Program. We make every effort to coordinate your appointments so that you can see multiple providers, as needed, during a single trip.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
