MR imaging and angiography of cerebral venous angiomas associated with brain tumors

MR study of 6 patients with concurrent venous angioma and brain tumor revealed that in 2 of the 6 cases, the draining vein of the venous angioma was located near to the tumor and was displaced by the tumor. Two of the 6 venous angiomas were too small to visualize prior to contrast enhancement, but could be detected following administration of Gd-DTPA. Angiography was required for definitive diagnosis of the venous angiomas. When a venous angioma is suspected or is detected incidentally, especially when very near a brain tumor, angiography should be considered before performing surgery to avoid surgical complications. Otherwise, ligation of the vein draining the venous angioma may lead to venous infarction.