[Cavernomas of the central nervous system].

18 cases of pathological cavernoma of the central nervous system were reported. The took 11.25 per cent of verified vascular malformations in our department in the same period. 15 cases located intracranially, and 3 cases were within the vertebral canal. Repeated small amount hemorrhages in the lesions were the major cause of the clinical symptoms of these patients. MRI was the most reliable method for making a correct diagnosis of cavernomas before operation. Cavernomas usually had clear border and surrounded with gliotic tissues, so that extirpation of tumor with microsurgical technique was the best choice.