Guiding clinical decision-making with regard to cerebral cavernous malformations

Rustam Al-Shahi Salman (Clinical Neurology) and colleagues have just published landmark new research, the findings of which could guide clinical decision-making with regard to cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs).  CCMs are formed of groups of tightly packed, irregular small blood vessels with thin walls in the brain or spinal cord. They can cause cause seizures and life-threatening bleeds. 

Rustam's team has conducted the only population-based study that followed patients with CCMs over a period of 25 years. Their findings suggest focussing on a 5-year risk horizon rather than extrapolating annual risks to patients' lifetimes. That is, after a period of five years a patient's risk of re-bleeding is likely to be significantly lower and this can be reflected in their ongoing care.

Future clinical trials could be based on the data from this study which could eventually lead to patients having more control over their treatment options.

The story was featured on STV news.

Read the full paper published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, September 2025:Long-term outcomes of untreated cerebral cavernous malformations: a prospective, population-based cohort study