Venous angioma of the brain

What is a venous angioma of the brain?

- Carol / North Carolina

Answer

A venous angioma — also called venous malformation — of the brain is a small tangle of abnormal veins. Venous angiomas are the most common brain vascular malformation, occurring in approximately 2 percent to 3 percent of people.

In most cases, venous angiomas cause no signs or symptoms. They are often found incidentally on brain imaging studies, such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), done for some other reason.

Unlike many other vascular malformations, venous angiomas rarely bleed. Treatment such as surgical removal of the venous angioma usually isn't recommended because the lesions typically cause no problems and treatment may lead to complications such as stroke. Occasionally, venous malformations can be associated with other types of vascular malformations that may require treatment.