Cavernous Malformation Associated With Arterialized Developmental Venous Anomaly: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Formation of cavernous malformations (CMs) has been recognized to be associated with developmental venous anomaly (DVA) by many authors. Hemodynamic stress due to venous outflow restriction could be hypothesized as a cause. On the other hand, a rare subgroup of DVA with an arterial component has been reported as likely to hemorrhage or be symptomatic. Cases of arterialized DVAs reported previously have not been associated with the presence of CM.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present herein a case report of arterialized DVA in the brainstem with repeated cerebellar hemorrhage. The 49-year-old patient was treated with surgical evacuation of hematoma. A surgical specimen from the hematoma cavity demonstrated CMs on histological examination.

CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of CM associated with an arterialized DVA. In addition to venous congestion due to outflow obstruction, bleeding from the arterial component of the DVA might be considered as a cause of CM formation.