Unusual pattern of a deep developmental venous anomaly on CT and MR studies

This article focuses on an unusual cross-sectional imaging pattern of a deep developmental venous anomaly (DVA). Since these anomalies are nonpathologic, they must not be interpreted as a disease that requires further costly workup and potentially injurious procedures (cerebral angiography). Two women aged 19 (Case 1) and 30 (Case 2) years sought medical evaluation for severe headaches. Both patients underwent CT, MRI, and conventional cerebral angiography. Case 1 also underwent MR venography. The diagnosis of an unusual DVA in Case 1 was confirmed only after conventional catheter angiography and a follow-up MR venogram. In Case 2 the diagnosis was inferred based upon the CT, MRI, and conventional angiography results and the marked similarity to Case 1. The presumptive diagnosis in Case 2 would not have been made with confidence without the prior experience of managing Case 1. DVAs (venous angiomas) are extreme variations in the pattern of intracranial venous drainage. These two case reports highlight an unusual pattern of this benign entity. Individuals interpreting cross-sectional imaging studies should be cognizant of this pattern.