Intracranial venous malformations

Diagnosis

The healthcare provider may find intracranial venous malformations when looking for other neurological problems even if the patient may not be aware of any symptoms.

To find further neurological problems, the patient might undergo these following procedures:

• CT scan: CT scan produces a series of X-rays that provide highly detailed cross-sectional images of the brain and blood arteries. In order to more thoroughly examine the brain tissue or blood vessels (CT angiography or CT venogram), contrasts may occasionally be injected into a vein.
• MRI: The brain and blood vessels are visualized in 3D detail by magnetic and radio waves. A contrast dye may occasionally be injected into a vein to examine the blood vessels and the brain tissue in a different way.
• MRA: The arteries are the subject of magnetic resonance angiography, another kind of MRI scan. The blood flow via the brain’s blood arteries can be seen on an MRA.
• MRV: An MRI technique that focuses on the veins is called a magnetic resonance venogram.

Treatment

Due to a rare occurrence of symptoms, healthcare provider typically do not treat intracranial venous malformations. A medicine may be prescribed by the healthcare provider if the patient is experiencing unrelated symptoms like headaches.

Seizures and brain bleeding (brain hemorrhage) are rare in persons with intracranial venous malformations. These can occur along with venous malformations and are typically brought on by other vascular malformations. Medication is often used by healthcare providers to treat seizures.

While some hemorrhages can only be treated surgically, many hemorrhages can be managed with medical care and hospital supervision.