Cavernous Angioma

[BritanyK]

I am an 18 year old female.  Two weeks ago, I had a fainting episode at my place of work and was sent to the emergency room.  After having a CT Scan, I was found to have a small bleed in my brain.  I was sent to another hospital to have an MRI and they diagnosed me with a cavernous angioma in my cerebellum on the left side.  On the CT scan, it said it was 1 cm X .6 cm.  My neurologist and neurosurgeon explained that my fainting had nothing to do with the CA.  I had an EEG and an EKG and everything came up normal.  My neurotests were completely fine.  Clearly, I am asymptomatic.  However, my neurosurgeon said that it is best to have this CA surgically removed.  It seems as if there are more risks to surgery than just keeping an eye on it.  He told me that seizures are not an issue because it is located in my cerebellum.  What is your opinion?  Should I keep an eye on it.. get a second opinion.. or get it removed?  Thank you for allowing people like me to be able to get information on your forum. It's a big relief to know that there is help outside of the doctor's office! -Britany.

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

Vitamin C does have evidence based literature that supports its protective capacity for small vessels. However, literature is scarce as to its benefit in cavernous angioma.

As long as your physician does not foresee any contraindication to intake of this vitamin, it would be okay to have take this as a supplement.

Hope this helps.

[BritanyK]

http://www.vitacost.com/science/nutrients/vitamin_c.html

It says that "Vitamin C protects small blood vessels from damage."

Perhaps minimizing the intensity of a bleeding if it occurs?
I may have misunderstood it.

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

Usually, the initial treatment of cavernous angiomas is conservative, with periodic MRIs to detect any changes in the lesion.

However, surgery might be indicated if 1 of the following is present: the lesion abuts the surface of the brainstem that abuts the pia mater, repeated hemorrhages resulting in progression of symptoms, bleeding is external to the capsule and enters brain tissue adjacent to the cavernous angioma, and the angioma has enlarged and is compressing the adjacent brain tissue.

THe surgical procedures available include resection of the cavernous angioma, stereotactic radiosurgery, and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

All types of surgery have their risks, and the potential for functional deficits from surgical complications is still significant and must not be taken lightly. You need to consult your neurosurgeon about these risks to help you arrive at a decision. Alternatively, you could also opt for a second opinion from other neurosurgeons.

What have you read (and, if possible, the source of your information) regarding Vitamin C and bleeding?

Good luck.

[BritanyK]

also, I read that Vitamin C can have an effect on possible bleedings.  Is this true?