Evolution of Developmental Venous Anomalies in the Setting of a Torcular Dural Arteriovenous Fistula and Cerebrofacial Venous Metameric Syndrome

BACKGROUND: We describe evolution of a developmental venous anomaly (DVA) over time in a patient with a complex intracranial vascular malformation. - CASE DESCRIPTION: A 26-year-old male patient initially presented with a scalp vascular malformation and was later diagnosed to have a torcular dural arteriovenous fistula resembling a dural sinus malformation. The dural fistula increased in size over 4 years. The dural fistula also was associated with multiple complex developmental venous anomalies draining the bilateral cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum. The DVA was only faintly demonstrated on the baseline magnetic resonance imaging but appeared to increase in size and extent over time as the dural arteriovenous fistula developed more aggressive angioarchitecture features. In addition to the evolution manifestation of the DVAs, the patient developed multiple de novo cavernous malformations in the venous radicles of the DVA. Increased venous hypertension in the superficial venous system from the dural fistula likely resulted in growth of the DVAs, as they served as the primary means of venous drainage for the bilateral cerebral hemispheres. The patient also had reopening of the persistent falcine sinus, which was not present at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: This would be the first reported case of growth or evolution of a DVA in association with a dural arteriovenous fistula in an adult patient and highlights the dynamic nature of both the medullary venous and dural venous sinuses of the cerebral venous system, even into adulthood.