In a retrospective, single center series at the University of California San Francisco, patients undergoing surgery for brainstem cavernous malformations were examined before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at final follow-up. A greater percentage of patients experienced neurological deficits immediately postoperatively compared to preoperatively. However, the percentage decreased to the lowest levels at the time of last clinical follow-up, suggesting that any neurological worsening following surgery is temporary in most cases. Abbreviations: CN (cranial nerve), CBL (cerebellar)