Description

Intracranial venous malformations are the veins in the brain that are unusually large. These larger veins are not likely to cause symptoms or affect how the veins of the work.

Some people may have an intracranial venous malformation that is never diagnosed and never causes any symptoms. At times, found by accident during a brain imaging test for another condition.

Intracranial venous malformations that usually do not require treatment.

Symptoms

Intracranial venous malformations can never cause symptoms. Sometimes found by accident during brain imaging tests for another condition. If an intracranial venous malformation causes symptoms that can include:

  • Headaches.
  • Seizures.
  • The dizziness.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Muscle weakness or paralysis.
  • Loss of coordination.
  • The vision of the problems.
  • Difficulty speaking.
  • Memory problems.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical attention if you have any of the symptoms of an intracranial venous malformation.

Causes

The experts do not understand what causes intracranial venous malformations. Certain genetic changes may play a role, and the malformations can occur during fetal development. However, some types may not be inherited and acquired later in life, possibly after an injury in the central nervous system.

Risk factors

Having a family history of intracranial venous malformations that can increase your risk. But most of the types are not inherited.

Certain inherited conditions can increase your risk of intracranial venous malformations. These include hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia syndrome, Sturge-Weber syndrome and Klippel-trenaunay syndrome.

Diagnosis

Due to that you may not have symptoms with intracranial venous malformations, your health care team may find that you have the disease during testing for other neurological problems.

You can have these imaging tests to diagnose other neurological diseases:

  • Computed tomography. A ct scan creates a series of X-rays to create detailed, cross-sectional images of blood vessels and the brain. Sometimes a dye is injected into a vein to assess the brain tissue or blood vessels in greater detail. This is known as computed tomography angiography or CT venogram.
  • The magnetic resonance imaging. Magnetic and radio waves to create detailed 3D images of your blood vessels and the brain. Sometimes a contrast dye is injected into a vein to look in the brain tissue of a different way, and to evaluate the blood vessels.
  • MRA. Magnetic resonance angiography is another type of MRI test that focuses on the arteries. A MRA shows how blood flows through the blood vessels in the brain.
  • MRV. Magnetic resonance venogram is a type of magnetic resonance imaging that focuses on the veins.

Treatment

Intracranial venous malformations are usually not treated, because it rarely causes symptoms. If you experience symptoms, such as headaches, your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines.

Rarely, people who have intracranial venous malformations have seizures or bleeding in the brain, called a brain hemorrhage. These are usually caused by other vascular malformations that can be found with a venous malformation. The seizures are usually treated with drugs.

Some bleeding require surgery, but a lot of the bleeding can be treated with medical treatment and observation in a hospital.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

If your healthcare provider thinks you might have an intracranial venous malformation, you may be referred to a physician that specializes in diseases that affect the brain and the nervous system. This type of doctor is called a neurologist or neurosurgeon.

Because appointments can be brief, it is a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there is anything that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that do not seem to be related to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write important personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking and the dose.
  • Have a family member or friend. Sometimes it can be very difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who goes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their health care team.

Your time with your health care team is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For intracranial venous malformations, some basic questions to ask include:

  • What are other possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What are the tests needed to confirm the diagnosis?
  • What are my treatment options and the pros and cons of each one?
  • What results can I expect?
  • What type of follow-up should I expect?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Be prepared to answer questions, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of the Intracranial venous malformations