MRI Diagnosis of Cerebral Venous Malformation

Objective To study MRI manifestations of cerebral venous malformation (CVM).Materials and Methods MRI and MRA were performed with a 1.5T MR unit in 9 cases with CVM.Results Lesions were located in cerebellum (n=4), frontal lobe (n=3), temporal lobe (n=1) and Galen vein (n=1). Main drain veins demonstrated hypointensity on T 1WI and T 2WI, while medullary veins showed hypointensity on T 1WI and hyperintensity on T 2WI. After enhancement, numerous radiating medullary veins gathered together into one or two larger drain veins and flowed into superficial or deeper veins, demonstrating so called “Caput Medussa” or “Umbrella” appearance. MRA could show the general portrait of CVM and the direction of vein draining, though the number of medullary veins on MRA was less than that seen on enhanced MRI.Conclusion Coupled MRI with MRA, CVM and its complications can be accurately diagnosed, therefore, it is possible to replace cerebral angiography.