Massive enlargement of an extracerebral cavernous malformation and ext
ension across tissue planes is very uncommon. The authors present the
case of a 49-year-old woman with a giant cavernous malformation in the
left frontotemporal area. It progressively enlarged during several de
cades, extended through the calvaria to the extradural space, and was
surgically treated. The lesion may have originated in the soft tissue
or the skull. The locations of cavernous malformations in various part
s of the body are reviewed and their mechanisms of growth are discusse
d. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.