caverneous angioma

[texascajun]

I have constant numbness and tingling on the left side of my body and have been for about the last 6+ years.  I have been checked for MS and was diagnosed with migraines in 1999.  I do have horrible headaches and have tried all types of medications.  Even if I don't have a headache the numbness is always with me.  The odd thing is I have swelling in my left index finger, the ring finger and pinkie on the left hand always feel numb.  At times I mix up my words, seem to forget what I want to say mid sentence.  My vision blurs often and I feel nausea frequently.  I often wake up during the night and my left leg feels like dead weight.  At 40, I am healthy in all other aspects.  My husband saw a program and a woman was being interviewed, he feels I have what she was finally diagnosed with, caverneous angioma.  I would like to know more about this condition and what type of testing needs to be done.  Any information about this would be helpful.

Thank you

[mini_d]

Hi,

Cavernous angioma is a malformation of capillaries (enlarged with minimal brain tissue in between) in the central nervous system. They are also known as cerebral cavernous malformation.

Depending on the area of the brain where they are situated, the symptoms may vary. Some people may not have any symptoms throughout life and the angioma may be found incidentally on autopsy or on MRI. The most common symptom in a symptomtic patient is headache. Symptoms like what you have are possible, and because the left side of your body is affected, the malformation is most probably present on the right side of your brain. The effect on your language abilities also points to a lesion in your right brain, though it is not necessarily an angioma.

Diagnosis of a CCM is mostly by using MRI and related techniques.

Based on your symptoms alone, one cannot comment on the cause for them. You should visit a neurologist and get an MRI, to diagnose the cause of your problems.

Do keep me posted.

Regards

[texascajun]

Thank you for your comments.  I will definately see a neurologist soon and share when I can.

[ampky]

I have had a cavernous angioma and yes, it can be detected by MRI.  Also consider mercury toxicity from "silver fillings" as a cause of your symptoms.