• Y Mao, L Zhou, and Y Liang.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
• Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2001 Mar 25; 81 (6): 326-7.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of surgical treatment of cavernous malformations (CMs) in brainstem.MethodsFrom 1992 to 1999, 7 cases of brainstem cavernous malformations (six females and one male, aged 44 on average) with 6 lesions in pons, one in mesencephalon, and one in medulla oblongata, were operated on with microsurgery. In the recent three years neuronavigation system has been applied.ResultsAll of the eight lesions were removed without death toll. The functional disorders of nervous system were improved after operation in four cases. The neurological deficits worsened in two cases, however, their neurological functions improved gradually to the preoperative level in four months or three years. The neurological function in the case with lesion in mesencephalon worsened after operation. Pathology revealed a grade one oligodendroglioma in addition to the CM lesion. Neuronavigation helped facilitate the accurate location of the lesions and minimize the surgical injury.ConclusionMicrosurgery is effective in treating brainstem cavernous malformations with appropriate indications and minimal invasive technique.

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