Hydrocephalus caused by a venous varix

M Arantes; H Romão; M Resende; M Costa; R Garcia; J Resende-Pereira

doi:10.1016/j.neurol.2009.03.008

Hydrocephalus caused by a venous varix

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2010 Jan;166(1):104-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neurol.2009.03.008. Epub 2009 Apr 18.

Authors

M Arantes¹, H Romão, M Resende, M Costa, R Garcia, J Resende-Pereira

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neuroradiology, Hospital Pedro-Hispano, Rua Dr-Eduardo-Torres, 4454-509 Matosinhos, Portugal. mavildearantes@hotmail.com

PMID: 19376556
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2009.03.008

Abstract

Introduction: Vascular malformations are uncommon causes of aqueductal obstruction. To our concern, only one case of hydrocephalus caused by a venous varix draining an unruptured arteriovenous malformation has been described in the literature.

Case report: We report the case of a 70-year-old woman presenting with progressive cognitive impairment, gait disturbance and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography revealed a large venous varix draining an unruptured arteriovenous malformation causing hydrocephalus.

Conclusion: Although uncommon, it is necessary to consider the presence of a vascular malformation in adults who presented with signs of aqueductal obstruction.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged
Cognition Disorders / etiology
Female
Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology
Humans
Hydrocephalus / etiology*
Hydrocephalus / pathology
Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / complications
Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / pathology
Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Urinary Incontinence / etiology
Varicose Veins / complications*
Varicose Veins / pathology