Prevalence of Developmental Venous Anomalies Increases With Age

• Published in: Stroke (1970) Vol. 48; no. 7; pp. 1997 - 1999
• Main Authors: Brinjikji, Waleed, El-Rida El-Masri, Ali, Wald, John T, Lanzino, Giuseppe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Heart Association, Inc 01.07.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Central Nervous System Neoplasms - epidemiology; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations - diagnostic imaging; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations - epidemiology; Cerebral Veins - abnormalities; Cerebral Veins - diagnostic imaging; Child; Child, Preschool; Comorbidity; Epilepsy - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Image Enhancement; Infant; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Young Adult; prevalence; veins; drainage; adult; infant
• ISSN: 0039-2499; 1524-4628
• DOI: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.116.016145

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE—To test the hypothesis that developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) may develop in the postnatal period, we studied the age-related prevalence of DVAs on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS—Reports from a consecutive series of head magnetic resonance images with intravenous contrast performed over a 2-year period at our institution were reviewed. Studies reporting the presence of a DVA were retrieved and reviewed by a neuroradiologist. Patients were divided into 4 age groups(1) <1 year old (neonates/infants), (2) 1 to 5 years old (toddlers and preschoolers), (3) 6 to 17 years old (grade schoolers), and (4) ≥18 years old (adults), and DVA prevalence by age group was studied. RESULTS—A total of 18 073 individuals were included. DVA prevalence in the neonate/infant age group was 1.5% (5/335) compared with 7.1% (51/714) in the toddler/preschool age group. In both the grade-school age group and adult age group, DVA prevalence was 9.6% (150/1557 and 1483/15 467, respectively). Neonates/infants were significantly less likely to have DVAs than other age groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS—We found a very low prevalence of DVAs on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in patients <1 year old which was significantly lower than other age groups. These findings suggest that postnatal changes in venous architecture and drainage patterns may contribute to the development of DVAs.