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Cerebral venous angioma--a misnomer?
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Cerebral venous angiomas (CVAs), once thought rare, are common intracranial vascular malformations. Most patients experience a benign course, suggesting CVAs are developmental anomalies not requiring routine excision.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Vascular Malformations
Background:
- Cerebral venous angioma (CVA) is an embryonic venous malformation.
- Previously considered rare, increased diagnostic imaging has revealed CVAs are common.
- It is the most frequent intracranial vascular malformation identified at autopsy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the clinical experience with cerebral venous angiomas.
- To evaluate the presentation and course of CVAs in a patient cohort.
- To determine appropriate management strategies for CVAs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 15 patients with cerebral venous angiomas.
- Confirmation of lesions through cerebral angiography in 14 patients.
- Analysis of clinical presentations, including headache, epilepsy, and intracerebral bleeds.
Main Results:
- Headache was the most common symptom (n=7), followed by epilepsy (n=5) and intracerebral bleeds (n=4).
- Six patients were diagnosed incidentally.
- The majority of patients exhibited a benign clinical course.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral venous angiomas are developmental anomalies.
- Routine surgical excision of CVAs is not recommended due to their generally benign nature.