Developmental Venous Anomalies

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2024 Jul;35(3):355-361. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2024.02.007. Epub 2024 Mar 21.

Abstract

Developmental venous anomalies (DVAs) are the most common vascular malformation detected on intracranial cross-sectional imaging. They are generally benign lesions thought to drain normal parenchyma. Spontaneous hemorrhages attributed to DVAs are rare and should be ascribed to associated cerebral cavernous malformations, flow-related shunts, or venous outflow obstruction. Contrast-enhanced MRI, susceptibility-weighted imaging, and high-field MRI are ideal tools for visualizing vessel connectivity and associated lesions. DVAs are not generally considered targets for treatment. Preservation of DVAs is an established practice in the microsurgical or radiosurgical treatment of associated lesions.

Keywords: Developmental venous anomaly; Vascular malformation; Venous angioma; Venous malformation.

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Veins* / abnormalities
  • Cerebral Veins* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Veins* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations* / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations* / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods