It is also known as a cavernoma, cavernous angioma, cavernous hemangioma, or capillary hemangioma. CMs are sometimes hereditary, which means that they have been passed from the parents to their children.
Most CMs declare themselves by causing seizures, headaches, or with a large hemorrhage.
We typically first find the CM in a CT scan, or more commonly in an MRI scan. The appearance of the CM on the MRI is very characteristic. An angiogram is usually not necessary. At Hopkins, we treat CMs by microsurgical resection whenever indicated. Most CMs, however, do not need surgery and can simply be followed with yearly MRIs.