Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Demystifying Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS): Image Acquisition and Interpretation
Published on: May 16, 2025
Calvarial venous malformation highlighted by the flow-reflux phenomenon on ultrasound
Anas Messaoudi1, Lokmane Taihi1, Jacques Malghem1
1Department of radiology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint‑Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract:
A case is reported of a woman presenting with a firm, tender right frontal lump. Ultrasound showed a small, irregular subgaleal mass with tiny bone surface perforations. Color Doppler ultrasound demonstrated compression-decompression induced alternating flow signals, indicating flow and reflux through the bone lesion. CT revealed an expansile osteolytic frontal lesion with a honeycomb pattern, consistent with an intraosseous venous malformation, which was confirmed histologically. The added value of compression-decompression color Doppler ultrasound in low‑flow calvarial vascular malformations is illustrated. Teaching point: Compression-decompression color Doppler ultrasound can reveal flow-reflux in low‑flow intraosseous venous malformations, contributing to the diagnosis.
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Urodynamic Studies: Uroflowmetry
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for...
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...

