Morphological and blood flow MR findings in cerebral vascular malformations

The authors report MR findings in 139 patients with 159 cerebral vascular malformations (36 arteriovenous malformations, 25 venous angiomas and 98 cavernous angiomas). Morphological aspects and hemodynamic findings due to rapid and slow flow are analysed. MR is able to differentiate the various type of lesions and permits the visualization of angiographically occult vascular malformations. In the case of cavernous angiomas MR information may not be sufficient for an absolute diagnosis because of differential diagnostic problems; correlation with the clinical history, CT and angiographic findings and follow-up MR study are certain to be necessary to increase specificity. Usually it is possible to distinguish histopathological components of the lesion and perilesional modifications in the cerebral parenchyma.