Serious Warning Signs Of A Cavernous Malformation
A cavernous malformation is a type of rarely-occurring vascular malformation. Vascular malformations are abnormalities in how the blood vessels are formed. Individuals can have a cavernous malformation in any portion of the body, and when it occurs in any area besides the brain or spinal cord, it doesn't tend to cause problems. However, a cavernous malformation can lead to potentially life-threatening complications when it affects the central nervous system. When the formation occurs inside the brain, medical practitioners refer to it as a cerebral cavernous malformation, which is made up of a group of capillaries with thinner and less elastic walls than normal capillaries. These are prone to leaking, which can lead to small pockets of blood inside the brain, resulting in serious and potentially life-threatening neurological consequences.
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Issues With Speech
A cavernous malformation will sometimes exist without ever causing any symptoms. Many individuals might have one in a part of their body and be unaware of it. However, when the cavernous malformation occurs in the brain and causes hemorrhaging, it can lead to issues with speech. The exact kinds of problems vary widely, since this largely depends on where the malformation is located, where the pockets of blood are located, and how much bleeding has occurred. Some patients might experience only mild speech impairment, while others may experience debilitating effects on their ability to communicate. Speech disorders are disorders affecting an individual's ability to create sounds and form language. Patients might experience apraxia, which occurs when parts of the brain required for speaking become damaged. Speech disorders might not be a sign of impaired intelligence or cognition. In fact, many patients with speech disorders know exactly what they want to communicate, and the inability to do so can be frustrating and lead to depression.
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Vision Changes
Vision changes can also occur in cerebral cavernous malformation patients. These might occur alongside speech difficulties or other sensory issues. The changes in vision are typically related to a hemorrhage in the sensory processing portion of the brain. How they present varies widely, since the position and effects of every cerebral cavernous malformation are different. The brain may have trouble interpreting the data being sent through the optic nerve. There might also be interrupted connections between the brain and the optic nerve. Changes in vision might be gradual, especially if the bleeding occurs over a long period. A patient might notice their peripheral vision dimming, they may struggle to perceive shadows and shapes, or they might have skewed depth perception. The changes in vision might also be more typical-seeming ones like blurriness that needs correction with eyeglasses. If individuals are experiencing vision changes that aren't helped by glasses, it's best to see an ophthalmologist. They'll be able to determine whether the cause is in the patient's eyes or if it's neurological.
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