Resection of Cavernoma

For many patients, clusters of abnormal blood vessels (cavernomas) may not cause any problems, and the best approach is to simply watch and wait. But when a cluster grows too large, causes frequent hemorrhaging or triggers seizures that do not respond to medication, then we often recommend a resection to remove it.

When appropriate, resection provides a reliable way to relieve symptoms and completely remove the abnormal blood vessels to prevent future problems. The latest advances have allowed us to safely operate deeper in the brain than ever before.

Learn more about the symptoms of a cavernoma and our diagnostic approach.

Cavernoma Surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital

Our neurosurgeons have the training and expertise to:

  • Recognize when surgery is needed and when careful monitoring with regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is a better approach
  • Help you carefully weight the benefits vs. the risks of surgery
  • Treat larger cavernomas and those that are more difficult to reach
  • Carefully work around particularly sensitive areas of the brain that control speech, motor function and the senses

Cavernoma Surgery: What to Expect

Our neurosurgeons follow certain steps when performing a cavernoma resection:

  • You receive general anesthesia to put you to sleep.
  • We make a small incision in your skull (craniotomy).
  • With the help of a microscope, we locate the cavernoma and carefully cut away the abnormal blood vessels.
  • We replace the piece of removed skull.
  • You spend a few days in the hospital to recover.

Contact Us

For more information or for a physician referral, please call (813) 644-4322.