Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
Prevalence of Developmental Venous Anomalies Increases With Age
Waleed Brinjikji1, Ali El-Rida El-Masri2, John T Wald2
1From the Department of Radiology (W.B., A.E.-R.E.-M., J.T.W., G.L.) and Department of Neurosurgery (W.B., G.L.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Brinjikji.waleed@mayo.edu.
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.
Related Concept Videos
Varicose Veins I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Development of Blood Vessels
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
Venous Return
What is Venous Return?
Venous return refers to the rate at which blood flows back to the heart from the body's peripheral veins. It's an integral part of the circulatory system...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...

