Paediatric Cavernous Malformation of the Trigeminal Nerve: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Intradural, extra-axial cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are rare entities and are mostly reported in relation to the optic apparatus or the facial/vestibulocochlear complex. Cranial nerve CCMs tend to follow a clinically aggressive course, with a tendency to progressive neurological dysfunction following intra-lesional haemorrhage or less commonly due to the effects of subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Case presentation: We report the first case of a trigeminal CCM presenting in a child with otalgia and left-sided headaches. The patient was initially managed with radiological surveillance but required surgical management following deterioration. We describe the successful treatment of the lesion with microsurgical resection.

Conclusion: A CCM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions arising in the region of the trigeminal nerve. Surgical resection is recommended to prevent neurological deterioration and may result in significant symptomatic improvement.