Brothers, three-year-old Mason and eight-year-old Leo from Liverpool have undergone three brain surgeries between them over the past two years.
At nine months old, Mason’s parents noticed that he wasn’t using his right arm or leg, and the right side of his face appeared to droop. Concerned, they took him to Alder Hey where an MRI scan revealed that he had cavernomas, one of which was in his brain stem which had haemorrhaged and caused him to have a stroke.
A cavernoma is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels that can cause haemorrhages or seizures. In the UK, approximately one in every 400,000 people is diagnosed each year with a symptomatic cavernoma and they normally occur in your 20s-40s.
After Mason’s stroke, he stayed in hospital for two weeks to undergo some scans, and so that staff could monitor his cavernoma.
He was discharged shortly after, but six months later, Mason suffered a seizure and was rushed to Alder Hey by ambulance.
Mason had five more seizures in quick succession after arriving at the hospital and was placed on anti-seizure medication. Further tests revealed that a second cavernoma had caused the seizures, and the neurosurgery team decided to operate as soon as possible.
The five-hour long operation involved making an incision in the scalp and making a small hole in the skull (craniotomy) to access the cavernoma. The cavernoma was then carefully removed. The operation was a success, and Mason also had his first cavernoma removed from his brain stem in a second operation, which lasted eight hours, meaning that there would be no more risk of haemorrhaging.”
Mason’s surgeon Mr Conor Mallucci
Mason was discharged shortly afterward and began to recover at home.
Fast forward two years later, Mason’s older brother, Leo, was 18 months old when he too, unexpectedly had a seizure. An MRI scan revealed that Leo also had multiple cavernomas. Fortunately, he hadn’t displayed any other symptoms but was scheduled for annual MRI scans to monitor his condition.
Last October, Leo’s scan showed that his largest cavernoma had grown significantly and could become dangerous if left untreated. As a result, he underwent surgery with the same surgeon who saved his little brothers life, Mr Mallucci. In January 2025, he had the operation to remove his cavernoma and is recovering well.
Mason, now three years old, has thankfully regained the ability to use his leg, but is still a bit wobbly. Leo is also recovering well after recently being discharged from Alder Hey.
Mum Lyndsey said “All the staff at Alder Hey are absolutely incredible. They make you feel at home and comforted. The neuro team, especially Mr. Mallucci, saved Mason’s life and made sure Leo didn’t have the same risks and we will be forever grateful.”
All the nurses and sisters on the ward are so kind and caring. They do everything they can to make you feel better and supported.”
Mum Lyndsey
“We are taking part in the Oli Safari Walk again this year for Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Last year’s walk marked a year since Mason’s first surgery and thanks to the neuro team, Mason was able to walk across the finish line. This year, Mason and Leo will be holding hands across the finish line, knowing they have both overcome such big surgeries, with Alder Hey to thank.”
Mr Mallucci said, “It was an honour to operate on these two brothers and I wish them all the best.”
