What causes cerebral cavernous hemangiomas?

What causes cerebral cavernous hemangiomas?

About 80% of cerebral cavernous hemangioma don’t have an identifiable cause. These are known as sporadic cavernous hemangiomas. Usually only one hemangioma forms.

Researchers have found that another type of abnormal blood vessel, known as a developmental venous anomaly (DVA), increases the chance of developing a cavernous hemangioma. Radiation treatment to the brain or spine is another known cause of cavernous hemangiomas.

About 20% of cavernous hemangiomas have a hereditary link.