Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Developmental venous anomaly
Introduction
Developmental venous anomalies (DVA) are cerebral vascular malformations that consist of dilated intramedullary veins converging into a large draining vein that reaches either the superficial or the deep system in an area in which there is an absence of normal draining veins.
Developmental venous anomalies are known to be associated with other developmental vascular anomalies, especially cavernous malformations.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Dilated intramedullary veins converging into a large draining vein producing the Medusa head appearance.
Diagnostic Findings
(Images courtesy of RadsWiki)
References
References
- Boukobza, M, Enjolras, O, Guichard, JP, Gelbert, F, Herbreteau, D, Reizine, D, Merland, JJ. Cerebral developmental venous anomalies associated with head and neck venous malformations. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 1996 17: 987-994.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]