MULTIPLE CAVERNOUS ANGIOMAS WITH DELAYED APPEARANCE

The authors report on a right fronto-cingular cavernous angioma which appeared, in a 46 year-old woman, four years after the excision of a r ight rolandic localization. Diagnosis suggested on radiological findin gs was confirmed by histological examination. After a review of the li terature the authors discuss possible mechanisms of such delayed appea rance of intra-cerebral cavernous angiomas. They suggest the possibili ty of infraradiologic stage corresponding to a micro-malformation char acterizated by abnormal capillaries, which has not been yet histologic ally modified by hemorrhages, thrombosis, fibrosis, gliosis and calcif ications.