Hemangioma is a non-dangerous condition and neoplasm of the brain, which, however, requires constant monitoring and, if necessary, emergency measures.
Causes
Scientists at the moment cannot name the exact causes of the disease. However, experts highlight some possible factors for the development of cerebral hemangioma in adult patients:
- hereditary disorders, genetic disposition to diseases of the vascular system;
- arterial hypertension and increased intracranial pressure;
- extensive, serious craniocerebral head injuries;
- prolonged exposure to the body of large doses of radiation. The risk is increased in patients who are exposed to ionizing radiation. As well as radiation, which is caused by the influence of the atomic bomb, man-made disasters with the formation of radioactive radiation. Unproven factors include radiation from mobile phones, electromagnetic fields of power lines;
- exposure to chemical or carcinogenic substances. The risk of developing hemangiomas of the brain is for employees working in enterprises whose specificity lies in the production or use of chemicals;
- constant nervous strain, severe stressful situations;
- wrong lifestyle. It provides for both low physical activity and the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, nicotine.
Symptoms
Often in adults, hemangioma of the brain occurs imperceptibly for a rather long time. Often the patient learns about his problem by chance during the examination. However, there are common symptoms of cerebral hemangioma in adults that make you think about the existence of the disease. These include:
- regular headaches of various durations, disturbing for unknown reasons;
- violation of coordination of movement;
- vision problems, weakening of taste, hearing, decreased sense of smell;
- persistent dizziness, vomiting, nausea;
- fainting conditions;
- epileptic seizures;
- cramps
- intellectual disruption;
- impaired memory, concentration of attention;
- muscle weakness.
Hemangiomas of the brain are divided into 2 types:
- Sluggish (torpid). Sluggish hemangiomas are characterized by headaches, cramps, nervous disorders, and insomnia. Seizures occur against the background of a headache and can occur both locally and in several places at once.
- Prone to bleeding (hemorrhagic). A symptom of a hemorrhagic type of hemangioma is high blood pressure.
Kinds
This neoplasm is a benign tumor that is formed from vessels located in the brain. In a certain number of cases, a pathology can develop without any symptoms, without turning into a malignant one. Nevertheless, complications should not be ruled out, since they may require urgent intervention. There are 2 known types of hemangiomas.
Hemorrhagic
Hemorrhagic hemangioma is small. It consists of a vascular clew. Characteristic features of this type are a tendency to bleeding and increased blood pressure.
Torpid
Torpid hemangioma is a fairly large ball of blood vessels in the brain that feeds on blood from nearby arteries. In this case, brain tissue suffers from oxygen starvation, migraines, epileptic seizures can develop. There are sleep disorders, as well as other disorders in the nervous system.
Additional classification
There is an additional classification, given the type of vessels that form them:
- Capillary (telangiectasia) is the most common neoplasm of the brain that has cutaneous localization. Hemangioma of cerebral vessels in children and adults rises above the skin, but does not affect the epidermis, so bleeding is extremely rare. By structure, a capillary neoplasm is a network of densely intertwined capillaries. Their walls can grow together and turn into a lump of vascular tissue.
- Venous hemangioma of the brain - a neoplasm presses on the brain, provoking the appearance of neurological disorders. If it appeared in the region of the crown of the head, symptoms may be noted corresponding to the capabilities of the area. The patient is disturbed by a headache, fever, coordination is impaired, it is difficult for him to recognize symbols and signs, as well as a sense of touch. Due to its structure, venous hemangioma is considered the most dangerous - there is a risk of vein rupture and hemorrhage.
- Arteriovenous (mixed) hemangioma is usually localized in the internal organs. But with a superficial location, it can take the form of winding and branched arteries, veins and bundles, which are located under the atrophied, altered skin and its fiber. In most cases, the neoplasm is located in the neck or head.
- Cavernous hemangioma of the brain - tumors of this type nourish large arterial vessels. Most often they are localized in the skin. This type of tumor is the most rare. Cavernous hemangioma of the brain is spreading quite quickly. With internal localization, parenchymal structures with a rich vascular network are affected.
Often, the question arises, why are small cavernous cerebral hemangiomas in adults dangerous? They are dangerous due to the possibility of extensive bleeding.
Diagnostics
Hemangioma of the brain is detected only by computer technology, it is impossible to make such a diagnosis using other methods.
Contrast angiography was in great demand recently, but since the method was dangerous for patients, it is now practically not used. How is angiography performed? A special contrast is introduced into the patient's vascular system, and then a brain X-ray is taken.
Superselective angiography - this method is more gentle for patients, it is less dangerous for the body. It is often prescribed to detect pathology in the vascular system. This diagnosis is carried out by this method: a special contrast is introduced into a specific part of the brain, where hemangioma can be supposedly located.
Computed tomography or CT is a safer way, since it does not violate the integrity of the tissues. This is a diagnostic method that focuses on x-rays of the brain. Special X-rays are produced in the tube and act on parts of the brain at different angles. Sensors receive data that is scanned in layers, data is instantly processed and output to a computer. Therefore, the doctor immediately sees a detailed picture, detailed data of the entire brain.
Magnetic resonance imaging is a 100% effective examination. When diagnosing, it reveals hemangiomas of various sizes, from very small to large. And up to 98% reveals a type of hemangioma. Also, basic computer diagnostics is supplemented by general analyzes and additional studies. This is a general blood test, biochemical analysis, ultrasound of the brain vessels.
Treatment
Under the influence of external factors, a tumor may form, formed by tissues of blood vessels in the structure of the brain. The hemangioma looks like a red-blue knot, the size of which can reach 2 cm. Blood vessels with voids and clotted blood are entangled in it.
Education in the head is very rare and difficult to remove. Most often, the tumor is formed in the female sex, in men it usually occurs less frequently, after 25 years. A hemangioma can be located in any part of the brain, but it is usually found in areas of the cerebral hemispheres. There are also on the surface of the skin, but they are not as dangerous as the brain formation.
The danger lies primarily in hemorrhage, which can lead to a stroke. If you do not start treatment, its progression will be fatal.
Effective Ways
There are several ways. Each of them contains certain means and the necessary sequence.
Doctors begin treatment of any disease and malformations based on three factors:
- the location of the disease;
- sizes of malformation;
- the presence of possible hemorrhages.
Therefore, before getting rid of a nodular tumor, a consultation is held, after which an individual treatment is prescribed.
Surgical removal
With a small nodular formation, which is not located in the main part of the brain and not so deep, the removal occurs with the help of open access surgery. So that there are no difficulties during the operation, it is carried out after a hemorrhage that occurred recently.
Hemangioma is formed in different parts of the brain and skin. In the brain, it can be located both on its surface and deep in it. If the neoplasm is located far from the surface of the skull, then any operations against it are very dangerous for the patient's life. In this case, they try to avoid surgical intervention, because this may affect the functioning of some brain structures.
Endovascular surgery
If the hemangioma is located in the deep tissues of the brain, they resort to the help of endovascular surgery. With this type of intervention, a catheter is inserted into the problem area through the cerebral artery using x-ray devices and a guide. Thus, an embolus is delivered to the brain, which can cause blockage of blood vessels.
After this, the patient is repeatedly carried out an additional series of angiographic images. In this way, doctors can verify how successful the operation was. This method of combating cerebral hemangioma is one of the most advanced of all other treatments.
Radiosurgery
Another method for treating cerebral hemangioma is a radiosurgical procedure. In this case, all existing vascular congestions are glued together due to exposure to radiation. This process gradually leads to the death of malformations. The main advantage of this type of surgery is that in its process the integrity of brain tissue is not violated and the use of surgical knives is absent. The accuracy of this method is maximum, the operation has practically no side effects. The disadvantage of radiosurgery can be considered only a long treatment period.
With such a disease, you need to have time to go through the diagnosis in time so that there are no bad consequences.
Forecast and Prevention
For the timely detection of cerebral hemangiomas, regular examinations should be performed: angiography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. With an early diagnosis of the disease, doctors often remove the tumor without tissue damage, especially if the tumor is on the surface of the brain. If a tumor is found in deeper integuments, more complex operations are required, which can lead to negative consequences.
The prognosis of cerebral hemangioma in adults is quite favorable. Since it does not belong to malignant tumors, in about a quarter of patients it does not affect a full-fledged lifestyle and does not manifest itself in any way. But there may be complications that can cause serious damage to the patient. To avoid cerebral hemorrhages, you must avoid any mechanical damage to the head, psychological experiences, as well as a sharp change in blood pressure.
To prevent the appearance of a tumor, doctors recommend leading a healthy lifestyle: more likely to be in the fresh air, play sports and not abuse alcohol. If any symptoms of cerebral hemangioma are detected in children and adults, you should immediately contact an oncologist for further treatment.