Magnetic resonance angiography of cerebral developmental venous anomalies: its role in differential diagnosis.
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.
Ostertun
B
B
Clinic for Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany.
Solymosi
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed