Developmental Venous Anomaly (DVA)

Contributor:

Dr. Chris Ekong

Consultants:

Dr. Mike Tymianski
Dr. R Willinsky
Dr. Michael Schwartz

Case 8

Age: 43

Sex: Male

History: Headaches.

Examination:

Showed no abnormality.

Treatment:

Conservative. The angioma is believed to be incidental.

Comments:

To: Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Tymianski - Sept 14, 2000

I would appreciate a quick consult onthe enclosed MRI scan. He is 43 years old and presented with headaches. Examination revealed no specific abnormality. The MRI scan showed "right complex vascular anomaly in the right lentiform nucleus and head of the caudate nucleus". I believe it is congenital in nature and I have recommended consrvative measures alone. Is there a place for Radiosurgery here? The images are located at: http://www.medi-fax.com Click Atlas Series Click Cerebral Aneurysms and other Vascular Anomalies Click Case 13 (Developmental Venous Anomaly) Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Chris

Dr. Mike Schwartz, Neurosurgeon, Toronto - Sept 14, 2000

Dear Chris,

I think that it looks like a developmental venous anomaly (DVA). If that's what it is then it just represents a coalescence of normal veins draining normal brain. If one interferes with it, then the brain tissue severed dies. Therefore it should not be treated. I guess that Mike Tymianski will say whether he thinks it is DVA also.

Best Regards,

Mike S

Dr. Mike Tymianski, Neurosurgeon, Toronto - Sept 15, 2000

Dear Chris,

This looks like a DVA (Developmental venous anomaly). It is generally benign. Theoretical risk of becoming a caveernoma one day. Conservative measures are what we usually recommend. I have forwarded this to the rest of the group.

Best,

Mike T

Dr. Robert Willinsky, Neuroradiologist, Toronto - Sept 15, 2000

Dear Chris,

I agree. This is a DVA and must have a benign natural history.

Bob

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