IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Cerebral arteriovenous malformation with hemorrhage

Case contributed by Peter Mitchell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Acute confusion, auditory hallucinations, headache.

Patient Data

Age: 65 years
Gender: Female

Left anterior temporal intra-parenchymal hemorrhage.  No definite underlying AVM or aneurysm identified.

The region of susceptibility artifact involving the left temporal lobe is smaller and consistent with the known focus of previous intraparenchymal hemorrhage. There is much reduced surrounding T2/FLAIR hyperintensity in keeping with near resolved surrounding edema. Within this region, there is no vascular nidus or serpiginous flow voids to suggest an underlying vascular malformation. No prominent or enlarged arteries are identified within the region. The dedicated MRA of the region is unremarkable demonstrating no aneurysm, stenosis or vascular malformation.

Incidentally however, at the medial aspect of the right precentral gyrus (parasagittal location) there is 6 mm vascular nidus of cortical / pial vessels. No definite large draining vein is identified on the preceding MR venogram study nor adjacent thrombosed vein. There is no evidence of gliosis or hemorrhage within this region.

The left midbrain ( left superior colliculus ) focus of high T2 signal is unchanged and consistent with previous hemorrhage. No other regions of signal abnormality is identified. No acute hemorrhage or extra-axial collection.

Conclusion:

There is near complete collapse of the hemorrhagic cavity in the left temporal lobe. No underlying vascular malformation or underlying mass lesion is identified within the left temporal lobe. There is also an incidental 6 mm presumed pial arteriovenous malformation involving the medial aspect of the right precentral gyrus.

Right internal carotid injection showing ACA supply to the pial AVM

  1. right pre-central gyrus AVM
  2. left temporal AVM
  3. quadrigeminal plate AVM

Case Discussion

Initial presentation with left ICH - non hypertensive patient on no antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications - should prompt consideration of underlying lesion.  Additional information regarding prior brainstem hemorrhage (another institution) with no cause identified.  Underlying vascular malformation (AVM, cavernoma), less likely tumor.  More anterior than venous sinus thrombosis related hematoma,  but warrants exclusion if no other cause is identified.

Next investigation should be with contrast enhanced MRI/MRA.  This did not explain the temporal lobe hematoma, and there was no evidence of microbleeds or multiple cavernoma syndrome.  The prior bleed in the left posterior midbrain is well shown.  Catheter angiography should be performed as next investigation.  In this case confirming an unruptured AVM in the contralateral hemisphere, but also identifying the AVM responsible for the current bleed, and also the brainstem bleed a decade prior.

Unexplained parenchymal hemorrhage after CT and MRI should always be considered for catheter angiography.  Both carotid and vertebral arteries need to be injected; selective ICA and ECA injections are also required in most cases.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.