Cerebellar haemorrhage secondary to arteriovenous malformation

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Sudden onset headache. No focal neurology ?subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Patient Data

Age: 60
Gender: Female

Small intraparenchymal haemorrhage within the right cerebellar hemispehre. No significant mass effect on the fourth ventricle. No hydrocephalus. No subarachnoid haemorrhage.

A cerebellar hemispheric arteriovenous malformation on the right (nidus = 13 mm). It is supplied principally by the enlarged right anterior inferior cerebellar artery but it may be a very small contribution from the left PICA. Drainage is superficial to the superior petrosal sinus with no significant deep venous drainage identified.

MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: A rectangular fragment of brain tissue with attached vessels 10 x 6 x 3mm.

MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: The section shows cerebellar parenchyma in which there is a nidus of vascular channels which extend into the subarachnoid space. These are predominantly venous in type but show an arrangement of elastic fibres within their walls consistent with arterialisation. Several small arterial vessels are also seen. The features are consistent with arteriovenous malformation. No evidence of tumour is seen.

DIAGNOSIS:  Features consistent with arteriovenous malformation.

Case Discussion

The cerebellar peduncle haemorrhage is an uncommon location for a primary cerebellar bleed (from, for example, hypertension). DSA demonstrated the underlying cause - an arteriovenous malformation.

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