Isolated tectal cavernomas: A comprehensive literature review with a case presentation

Intracranial cavernous angiomas or cavernomas (ICCs) are abnormal blood-filled vasculatures made of mono-endothelial layer and characterized by their bubble-like caverns. Brainstem cavernomas (BSCs) is a critical form of ICCs since slight changes in the lesion can result in devastating or life-threatening outcomes. We hereby present a rare case of BSC developed in the mesencephalic tectum with intraventricular bleeding and Parinaud’s Syndrome. Our patient was managed by complete surgical resection of the lesion through an infra-tentorial supracerebellar approach. Additionally, we reviewed and analyzed the hitherto reported cases of isolated tectal cavernomas (TCs) in the literature, including our case, to elucidate the main factors associated with the management outcomes of TCs. There have been 25 cases of isolated TC reported until now. Most of the patients were adults between 18–77 y of age, except for two children (7 and 13 y). There was no sex predominance. Symptomatic patients presented with headache 56%, altered level of consciousness 24%, and/or double vision 20%. Most cases (64%) had hemorrhagic lesions at presentation, and 60% of all cases experienced recurrent hemorrhages. Parinaud’s Syndrome was recorded in five cases, including the current one. All cases affected with Parinaud’s were males. Lesion size was a determinant of the outcome as larger lesions were more likely to result in persistent deficits. Surgical resection of the lesion was an effective management modality with ∼79% (15/19) of patients who underwent surgery ended up with complete recovery.