MRI diagnosis of cerebral venous malformation(report of 8 cases)

Objective: To study MRI features of cerebral venous malformation(CVM), and assess the value of each imaging sequence. Methods: MRI and three-dimensional multiple overlapped thin slab acquisition(3D-MOTSA) MR angiography(MRA) were performed in 8 cases with CVM. Six patients were imaged by MR scanner with Gd-DTPA enhanced T1WI, and 3 of them underwent additional 3D-MOTSA CE MRA. Results: In 4 cases the lesions were located in cerebellum and 4 cases in frontal lobe, parietal lobe or occipital lobe. In 5 cases, MRI showed draining veins which were hypointense on T1WI and T2WI, hypointense on T1WI and in 3 cases showed hyperintense on T2WI, while medullary veins showed hypointense on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI. After enhancement, numerous radiating medullary veins gathered together into one or two larger draining veins and flowed into superficial or deeper veins, demonstrating the so-called Caput Medussa appearance. 3D-MOTSA MRA showed some draining veins, but a few medullary veins. 3D-MOTSA CE MRA could show the whole length of the draining veins in 3 cases, the number of medullary veins were numerous. Conclusion: MRI could diagnose the complications of CVM accurately and make up for the deficiency of cerebral angiography. 3D-MOTSA CE MRA could replace cerebral angiography.