True and false cerebral venous malformations. Venous pseudo-angiomas and cavernous hemangiomas

The authors report their classification of venous anomalies and abnormalities within the central nervous system. The so-called venous angiomas are developmental venous anomalies (D.V.A.). The different forms encountered express the extreme variations in the transcerebral venous system. Their symptomatic character depends on the aging changes that the cerebral venous system undergoes or the frequent association of D.V.A. with cavernomas of the central nervous system. The cavernous hemangiomas are true tumors that present a proliferative character. They are localized in the dura or in the extradural space intracranially or at the spinal level. They must be considered as tumors and can be seen at angiography as they present a fine parenchymatous stain. The cavernomas of the central nervous system are true vascular malformations of the venous type; they are locally multiple, but can also be disseminated within the intracranial space. Some familial forms have been reported. They are often associated with D.V.A. They have a high bleeding potential, which does not carry a high morbidity or mortality incidence. However, the natural history of this lesion is poorly known at present. The spinal cord posterior fossa and paraventricular localizations present probably the least favorable localizations. Only the cavernomas deserve to belong to the vascular malformation group. The same comments and observations apply to spinal cord venous lesions.