Occult cerebrovascular malformations: follow-up with MR imaging.

The clinical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in 20 patients with MR evidence of occult cerebrovascular malformations (OCVMs) were retrospectively analyzed. Of 27 lesions followed up throughout a mean period of 18 months, eight showed obvious evolution on MR images (four cases of regression and four cases of new bleeding). Three new independent lesions were disclosed. Clinical evolution was discordant with MR findings in five patients. In the other patients, topography of the lesion, mass effect, and location of the hemorrhage could explain clinical data. The dynamic nature of OCVMs must be considered in decisions on therapeutic management.