Phlebographic appearance and pathogenesis of venous malformations in the orbit.

A retrospective clinical and radiographic analysis of 20 patients with orbital venous malformations was performed. The malformations were fed by other veins rather than arteries. They may nearly always be demonstrated by orbital or jugular phlebography, though occasionally they will fill only following direct puncture. There appeared to be varied etiologies. A few were related to trauma or to other causes of increased intraorbital pressure. There is an association with periorbital hemangiomas suggesting developmental or congenital origin.