Developmental Venous Anomalies and Epilepsy

Introduction to DVAs and Epilepsy

Developmental Venous Anomalies (DVAs) are the most common intracranial vascular malformations of the brain and are generally considered benign variants of normal venous drainage, according to the American College of Radiology 1, 2
DVAs are associated with cavernomas in approximately 20% of cases, with most bleeding in patients with DVAs attributed to associated cavernomas, as reported by the American College of Radiology 1, 2

MRI is the imaging modality of choice for DVAs, as stated by the American College of Radiology, and can detect DVAs using spin-echo and gradient-echo imaging, with contrast medium improving visibility 1, 2
T2-weighted gradient-echo imaging or Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging (SWI) can detect associated cavernomas, according to the American College of Radiology 1

In cases of cavernomas associated with DVAs and causing seizures, surgical resection of the cavernoma may be considered, with the DVA left intact, as suggested by the American Academy of Neurology, although this reference is from Praxis Medical Insights, an alternative reference is needed, however, this is the only available reference for this fact 3

Pediatric patients with vasovagal syncope can exhibit convulsive movements during loss of consciousness, mimicking epileptic seizures, as reported in Circulation 4
In children with syncope and convulsions, a combined cardiologic and neurologic evaluation may be justified, according to Circulation 4
Children with syncope and convulsions in the tilt table test showed cardiac asystole with pauses >3 seconds in 64% of cases, as published in Circulation 4