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Surgical Management of Brain Cavernous Malformations

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Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM)

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2152))

Abstract

Surgical removal of accessible lesions is the only direct therapeutic approach for cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs). The approach should be carefully evaluated according to clinical, anatomical, and neuroradiological assessment in order to both select the patient and avoid complications. In selected cases, a quantitative anatomical study with a preoperative simulation of surgery could be used to plan the operation. Neuronavigation, ultrasound, and neurophysiologic monitoring are generally required respectively to locate the CCMs and to avoid critical areas. The chapter describes all the possible surgical approaches for supratentorial, infratentorial, deep seated and brain stem CCMs. In any case before performing surgery, the physicians should always consider the benign nature of the lesions and the absolute necessity to avoid not only neurological deficits, but also a neuropsychological impairment that could affect the quality of life of the patients.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosurgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Marco M. Fontanella, Luca Zanin, Alessandro Fiorindi, Francesco Belotti, Pierpaolo Panciani, Claudio Cornali & Francesco Doglietto

  2. Neurosurgery, Alessandro Manzoni Hospital, Lecco, Italy

    Giannantonio Spena

  3. Neurosurgery, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milano, Italy

    Federico Nicolosi

Authors
  1. Marco M. Fontanella
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  2. Luca Zanin
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  3. Alessandro Fiorindi
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  4. Giannantonio Spena
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  5. Federico Nicolosi
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  6. Francesco Belotti
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  7. Pierpaolo Panciani
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  8. Claudio Cornali
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  9. Francesco Doglietto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marco M. Fontanella .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, SIENA, Italy

    Lorenza Trabalzini

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, SIENA, Italy

    Federica Finetti

  3. Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Torino, ORBASSANO (TORINO), Italy

    Saverio Francesco Retta

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Fontanella, M.M. et al. (2020). Surgical Management of Brain Cavernous Malformations. In: Trabalzini, L., Finetti, F., Retta, S. (eds) Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM) . Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2152. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0640-7_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0640-7_9

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-0639-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-0640-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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