Caput medusae sign - developmental venous anomalies

Last revised by Henry Knipe ◉ ◈ on 26 Aug 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Gaillard F, Knipe H, Bell D, et al. Caput medusae sign - developmental venous anomalies. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 25 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-6557

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-6557

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/6557

rID:

6557

Article created:

10 Jul 2009, Frank Gaillard ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.

View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures

Last revised:

26 Aug 2022, Henry Knipe ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had the following disclosures:

Radiopaedia Events Pty Ltd, Speaker fees (past)
Integral Diagnostics, Shareholder (ongoing)
Micro-X Ltd, Shareholder (ongoing)

These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made.

View Henry Knipe's current disclosures

Revisions:

37 times, by 16 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Central Nervous System, Hepatobiliary

Sections:

Signs

Tags:

signs, snippet title

Synonyms:

Medusa head
Medusa head sign
Caput medusa
Caput medusae
Caput medusa sign
Palm tree sign of developmental venous anomalies

The caput medusae sign refers to developmental venous anomalies of the brain, where a number of veins converge centrally into a single draining vein.

The sign is seen on both CT and MRI when contrast medium is administered. Angiographically the caput medusae appearance is seen only in the venous phase.

The association with cavernous hemangiomas defines this as a mixed vascular malformation.

History and etymology

Caput is the Latin for head, and the sign literally translates as head of Medusa ⁴. The appearance is reminiscent of the hair of Medusa, one of the three Gorgons of Greek mythology. The Gorgons had venomous snakes for hair and their countenance was said to be so terrifying that anyone who looked upon them was literally turned to stone. Medusa was encountered and beheaded by the Greek demigod hero Perseus ^3,5.