Spinal epidural venous plexus congestion
Updates to Article Attributes
Epidural venous congestion represents the pathological dilatation of the spinal epidural venous plexus, and is typically a complication of other pathologies.
Clinical presentation
Radiculopathy caused by the dilated epidural veins is not uncommon 1.
Pathology
Several spinal and pelvic diseases can result in secondary epidural venous engorgement:
-
vertabralvertebral artery occlusion 2
inferior vena cava agenesis (rare) 3
pelvic venous congestion due to external compression (e.g. distended bladder) 1
lumbar spinal canal stenosis 4
excessive CSF diversion (see overshunting-associated myelopathy)
As the vertebral venous system is valveless, extraspinal venous congestion can rapidly involve these veins 1.
Radiographic features
MRI is the method of choice for imaging spinal epidural venous plexus pathology. Axial and sagittal plane T2-weighted sequences usually clerlyclearly demonstrate the engorged epidural veins and effacement of CSF spaces 1,2. The distended venous plexus should not be mistaken for mass, disc herniation, or AV fistulizationarteriovenous fistulisation.
-<li>vertabral artery occlusion <sup>2</sup>-</li>-<li>inferior vena cava agenesis (rare) <sup>3</sup>-</li>-<li>pelvic venous congestion due to external compression (e.g. distended bladder) <sup>1</sup>-</li>-<li>lumbar spinal canal stenosis <sup>4</sup>-</li>-</ul><p>As the vertebral venous system is valveless, extraspinal venous congestion can rapidly involve these veins <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>MRI is the method of choice for imaging spinal epidural venous plexus pathology. Axial and sagittal plane T2-weighted sequences usually clerly demonstrate the engorged epidural veins and effacement of CSF spaces <sup>1,2</sup>. The distended venous plexus should not be mistaken for mass, disc herniation, or AV fistulization. </p>- +<li><p><a href="/articles/vertebral-artery" title="Vertebral artery">vertebral artery</a> occlusion <sup>2</sup></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/inferior-vena-cava-1" title="Inferior vena cava">inferior vena cava</a> agenesis (rare) <sup>3</sup></p></li>
- +<li><p>pelvic venous congestion due to external compression (e.g. distended bladder) <sup>1</sup></p></li>
- +<li><p>lumbar spinal canal stenosis <sup>4</sup></p></li>
- +<li><p>excessive CSF diversion (see <a href="/articles/overshunting-associated-myelopathy" title="Overshunting-associated myelopathy">overshunting-associated myelopathy</a>)</p></li>
- +</ul><p>As the vertebral venous system is valveless, extraspinal venous congestion can rapidly involve these veins <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>MRI is the method of choice for imaging spinal epidural venous plexus pathology. Axial and sagittal plane T2-weighted sequences usually clearly demonstrate the engorged epidural veins and effacement of CSF spaces <sup>1,2</sup>. The distended venous plexus should not be mistaken for mass, disc herniation, or arteriovenous fistulisation. </p>
References changed:
- 4. Ju J, Ha H, Jung C, Kim H, Lee C, Kim J. Patterns of Epidural Venous Varicosity in Lumbar Stenosis. Korean J Spine. 2012;9(3):244-9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2012.9.3.244">doi:10.14245/kjs.2012.9.3.244</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25983823">Pubmed</a>
- 4. Ju JH, Ha HG, Jung CK, Kim HW, Lee CY, Kim JH. Patterns of epidural venous varicosity in lumbar stenosis. Korean J Spine. 2012;9(3):244-249. doi:10.14245/kjs.2012.9.3.244
Tags changed:
- re-write
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.