Developmental Venous Anomalies and Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective of the Review: To study the role of developmental venous anomaly (DVA) of the brain in the development of epileptic seizures. Key Points. Vascular malformations (cavernous angiomas and aneurysms), arterivenous malformations and aneurysms are known to contribute to the development of epileptic seizures. DVAs can be associated with epileptic seizures; however, their role in the epileptogenesis is not clear yet. This article describes possible mechanisms of epileptic seizure development caused by vascular malformations and possible causes of epilepsy associated with brain DVA. Conclusion. The association between epileptic seizures and uncomplicated DVAs is arguable. The primary mechanisms of epileptic seizures in DVAs are age-related cortical hypometabolism and hematoencephalic barrier dysfunctions which can cause pharmacoresistent epilepsy. These data are controversial and require further evaluation and analysis. Keywords: epilepsy, epileptic seizure, venous angioma, venous development anomalies, positron emission tomography.