Magnetic resonance angiography of cerebral developmental venous anomalies: its role in differential diagnosis

• Published in: Neuroradiology Vol. 35; no. 2; p. 97
• Main Authors: Ostertun, B, Solymosi, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.01.1993
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Brain Neoplasms - diagnosis; Brain Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Cerebral Angiography; Cerebral Veins - pathology; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Hemangioma - diagnosis; Hemangioma - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations - diagnosis; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations - diagnostic imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0028-3940
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00593962

CT, MRI and contrast angiography of 20 patients with 21 developmental venous anomalies (DVAs), so-called venous angiomas, were compared with magnetic resonance angiography employing a two-dimensional time-of-flight technique (2D-MRA). MRA was diagnostic in 17 DVAs, when both the primary 2D slices and the maximum-intensity-projection images were read. Contrast angiography still provides the best visualization of both DVA components: dilated medullary veins and transcerebral draining vein; however, it is an invasive procedure and delivers no information about brain parenchyma. We regard MRI as necessary in cases with a suspected DVA because of the high rate of association with cavernomas: 33% in this study. Acute neurological symptoms were caused by haemorrhage from an associated cavernoma and not from the DVA in 4 such cases. Thus MRA combined with MRI obviates angiography in most cases and offers a noninvasive diagnostic strategy adequate for DVAs.