Vascular Disorders of the Cerebellum in Children

Abstract

Key differences exist in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of vascular lesions of the cerebellum in children versus adults. An understanding of these differences and an appreciation of the distinct imaging features of these lesions aid in distinguishing normal vascular variations from pathology, in predicting lesion etiology, and in directing effective treatment strategies. This paper reviews the embryogenesis of the normal vascular system of the cerebellum and brainstem and then discusses the clinical and imaging features of the common vascular lesions affecting these structures in the pediatric population.

Keywords: Capillary telangiectasia; Cavernous malformations; Cerebellum; Cerebral arteriovenous fistulae; Cerebral arteriovenous malformations; Cerebral vascular embryology; Developmental venous anomalies; Intracranial arterial aneurysms.