Appearance of cavernous malformations (CMs) on magnetic resonance imaging varies depending on the time phase of hemorrhage. We retrospectively analyzed the temporal profile of CM appearance on MRI during its natural course. Of the 33 cases included in this study, 20 (8 with symptomatic hemorrhage, 11 with incidentally diagnosed CM, and 1 with residual lesion after surgery) were followed up with repeated MRI for more than 6 months. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in 2 cases during the follow-up period. MRI findings and hemorrhage resolution changed over time. Asymptomatic hemorrhage was detected as an additional high intensity signal on T1-weighted images in 3 cases. A temporal change in the MRI appearance of CMs with symptomatic hemorrhage, which progressed from Zabramski type I to II and subsequently III, correlated predominantly with neurological improvement. In contrast, asymptomatic hemorrhage was detected in the absence of clinical symptoms in some cases. CMs are a cerebrovascular anomaly demonstrating dynamic changes that include symptomatic hemorrhage and its consequent resolution as well as micro-hemorrhage without neurological deterioration.