What is a cavernous hemangioma?

What is a cavernous hemangioma?

A cavernous hemangioma is an abnormal cluster of tightly packed, thin-walled capillaries (smallest blood vessels). The thin walls of these capillaries make hemangiomas prone to bleeding. The blood within the capillaries is usually slow-moving or not moving at all.

Cavernous hemangiomas mostly occur in your brain or brainstem, but can sometimes occur in your spine or other areas of your body. Bleeding in your brain can cause seizures or a stroke.

Cavernous hemangiomas are also called cerebral cavernous malformation, cavernoma, occult vascular malformations or cavernous malformations.