Abstract
In a retrospective study of 72 patients with developmental venous anomalies (DVA) diagnosed by MRI and/or angiography, 33 associated lesions were found in 32 patients (44%). Study of the clinical files allowed classification of the patient population into three groups. In group 1 (11 patients: 34%) the symptoms were attributed with certainty to the associated lesions (1 brain infarction, 2 multiple sclerosis patients, 1 case of meningitis, and 7 patients with tumors). In group 2 (9 patients: 28%) the symptoms were probably caused by the associated lesion and not by the associated DVA (1 contusion, 1 Sturge-Weber angiomatosis, and 7 hemorrhagic DVA). In group 3 (12 patients: 38%) the symptoms were nonspecific (10 cavernous angiomas, 1 varix with sinus pericranii, and 1 ectasia of the middle cerebral artery. These findings sustain the theory that DVA is a congenital anomaly of the venous drainage of the brain, without pathological significance, and must be considered as an incidental finding.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Valavanis A, Wellaver S, Yasargil MG (1983) The radiological diagnosis of cerebral venous angioma: cerebral angiography and computed tomography. Neuroradiology 24: 193–199
Augustyn GT, Scott JA, Olson E, Gilmor RL, Edwards MK (1985) Cerebral venous angiomas: MR imaging. Radiology 156: 391–395
Cammarata C, Hans JS, Haaga JR, Alfidi RJ, Kaufman B (1985) Cerebral venous angiomas imaged by MR. Radiology 155: 639–643
Scott JA, Augustyn GT, Gilmor RL, Mealyey J, Olson EW (1985) Magnetic resonance imaging of a venous angioma. AJNR 6: 284–286
Wilms G, Marchal G, Van Hecke P, Van Fraeyenhoven L, Decrop E, Baert AL (1990) Cerebral venous angiomas. Neuroradiology 32: 81–85
Wilms G, Demaerel Ph, Marchal G, Baert AL, Plets C (1991) Gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging of cerebral venous angiomas with emphasis on their drainage. J Comput Assist Tomogr 15: 199–206
McCormick WF, Hardman JM, Boulter TR (1968) Vascular malformations (angiomas) of the brain with special reference to their occurring in the posterior fossa. J Neurosurg 28: 241–251
Lasjaunias P, Berenstein A (1990) Surgical neuroangiography, vol 3. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 223–308
Lasjaunias P, Burrows P, Planet C (1986) Developmental venous anomalies (DVA): the so-called venous angioma. Neurosurg Rev 9: 233–244
Bouchacourt E, Carpena JP, Bories J, Koussa A, Chiras J (1986) Ischemic accident caused by thrombosis of a venous angioma. Apropos of a case. J Radiol 67: 631–635
Rotfus WE, Albright AL, Casey KF, Latchaw RE, Roppolo HMN (1984) Cerebellar venous angioma: “benign” entity? AJNR 5: 61–66
Biller J, Toffol GJ, Shea JF, Fine M, Azar-Kia B (1985) Cerebellar venous angiomas. A continuing controversy. Arch Neurol 42: 367–370
Abe M, Asfora W, De Salles A, Kjellberg R (1990) Cerebellar venous angioma associated with angiographically occult brain stem malformation: report of 2 cases. Surg Neurol 33: 400
Goulao A, Alvarez H, Garcia-Monaco R, Pruvost P, Lasjaunias P (1990) Venous anomalies and abnormalities of the posterior fossa. Neuroradiology 31: 476–482
Ostertun B, Solymosi L (1993) Magnetic resonance angiography of cerebral developmental venous anomalies: its role in differential diagnosis. Neuroradiology 35: 97–104
Rigamonti D, Spetzler RF (1988) The association of venous and cavernous malformations. Report of 4 cases and discussion of the pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 92: 100
Wilms G, Bleus E, Demaerel Ph, Plets C, Goffin J, Baert AL (1993) Simultaneous occurrence of developmental venous anomalies and cavernomas: clinical and radiological findings in 15 patients. AJNR (in press)
Dross P, Raji MR, Dastur KJ (1987) Cerebral varix associated with a venous angioma. AJNR 8: 373–374
Uchino A, Hasuo K, Matsumoto S, Furukawa T, Matsuura Y, Fujii K, Fukui M, Masuda K (1992) MR imaging and angiography of cerebral venous angiomas associated with brain tumors. Neuroradiology 34: 25–29
Wilms G, Goffin J, Van Driessche J, Demaerel P (1992) Posterior fossa venous anomaly and ipsilateral acoustic neuroma: two cases. Neuroradiology 34: 337–339
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: G. Wilms
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wilms, G., Demaerel, P., Robberecht, W. et al. Coincidence of developmental venous anomalies and other brain lesions: a clinical study. Eur. Radiol. 5, 495–500 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00208341
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00208341