Developmental Venous Anomaly (DVA)

Abstract

As congenital anatomic variants of venous drainage, developmental venous anomalies (DVA) represent up to 60% of all cerebral vascular malformations. The prior term "venous angioma" is a misnomer implicating an abnormal vascular structure with an increased bleeding risk. They are often found incidentally and are hardly ever symptomatic. Their morphologic characteristics are dilated vessels in the white matter, which converge on a greater collector vein, forming the typical caput medusae. They drain into the superficial or deep venous system. The frequent association with other, potentially bleeding-prone vascular malformations is clinically relevant, in particular cavernous angioma, which might require therapeutic action. Therefore, coincident vascular lesions need to be actively sought by appropriate additional imaging techniques.

Neuropathologic Findings in a Child with a Novel Variant of TBCK-Related Encephaloneuronopathy

“…[7][8][9] Similarly, the presence of multiple cavernous angiomas is considered a congenital anomaly in the CNS. 10,11 TBCK is a conserved protein kinase that associates with the mitotic apparatus and promotes cell growth, proliferation and F-actin cytoskeleton organization. 4 In addition, TBCK phosphorylates and activates the mTOR.…”

Stereotactic LINAC radiosurgery for the treatment of brainstem cavernomas

“…In order to exclude associated DVAs, multiplanar MR techniques and, in selected cases, angiographic evaluation are necessary [18,19,20].…”

Medusa-like Atypical Intracerebral Vein: A Rare Case of Symptomatic Developmental Venous Anomaly

“…They were once thought to be rare, but are now considered to be the most common vascular malformation in the central nervous system (1,2). Angiograms show a "hydra" or caput medusae appearance as a result of smaller radial veins converging on a central draining venous vein.…”