Walsh & Hoyt: Vascular Malformations

Vascular malformations are congenital anomalies. Many are asymptomatic but some produce neurologic findings. Neuro-ophthalmic manifestations may result from direct compression, altered blood flow, increased intracranial pressure, or hemorrhagic complications. The vascular malformations include (a) capillary telangiectases; (b) cavernous malformations (cavernous angiomas); (c) venous malformations (venous angiomas, developmental venous anomalies); and (d) arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Most are AVMs (60%) with the remainder being capillary telangiectases (12%), cavernous malformations (13%), and venous malformations (15%). Although we discuss the individual entities separately, multiple or mixed lesions may occur.