Skip to main content
Log in

Aneurysms of the vein of Galen in infants aged 2 to 15 months. Diagnosis and natural evolution

  • Originals
  • Published:
Neuroradiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

This is a report of seven cases of aneurysm of the vein of Galen (AVG) with a review of the clinical and radiological aspects of 48 cases in the literature. The natural evolution and pathophysiology of this vascular malformation are discussed. The clinical signs of this condition are often misleading. The appearance of AVG on CT is pathognomic. Surveillance of the vascular malformation and associated cerebral lesions can be maintained with subsequent CT. Spontaneous thrombosis of the aneurysm was observed in three cases. The diagnosis of thrombosis of the AVG was always made at operation or by histological examination. The radiological appearance of a thrombosed aneurysm is typical.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Amacher L, Shillito J (1973) The syndromes and surgical treatment of aneurysms of the great vein of Galen. J Neurosurg 39: 89–97

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bedford THB (1934) The great vein of Galen and the syndrome of increased intracranial pressure. Brain 57: 1–24

    Google Scholar 

  3. Boldrey E, Miller ER (1949) Arteriovenous fistula of the great vein of Galen and the circle of Willis: report on two patients treated by ligation. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 62: 778–783

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brown BJ, Alexander WJ (1967) Signes radiologiques de l'anévrysme arterioveineux de la grande veine de Galien. Ann Radiol 10: 165–170

    Google Scholar 

  5. Conforti P (1971) Spontaneous disappearance of cerebral arteriovenous angioma. J Neurosurg 34: 432–434

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cronquist S, Granholm I, Lundstrom NR (1972) Hydrocephalus and congestive heart failure caused by intracranial arteriovenous malformations in infants. J Neurosurg 36: 249–254

    Google Scholar 

  7. Decker K, Freislederer N (1957) Arteriovenöse Angiome des Gehirns im Kindesalter. Arch Kinderheilkd 155: 34–43

    Google Scholar 

  8. Eisenman J, Alekoumbides A, Pribram H (1972) Spontaneous thrombosis of vascular malformations of the brain. Acta Radiol 13: 77–85

    Google Scholar 

  9. Emery JL, Zachary RB (1956) Hydrocephalus associated with obliteration of the longitudinal sinus. Arch Dis Child 31: 288–292

    Google Scholar 

  10. Epps EF van, Perret G (1963) Neuroradiologic potpourri in infants and children. AJR 89: 938–940

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fisher G, Brunon J, Thierry A et al (1969) Thrombose au cours de l'évolution des anévrysmes artério-veineux cérébraux. J Med Lyon 50: 623–625

    Google Scholar 

  12. Francoeur J, Hendrick EB, Hoffman HJ (1967) Vein of Galen malformation in children (Abstract). Can Med Assoc J 97: 232

    Google Scholar 

  13. French LA, Peyton WT (1954) Vascular malformations in the region of the great vein of Galen. J Neurosurg 11: 488–498

    Google Scholar 

  14. Gibson JB, Taylor AR, Richardson AE (1959) Congenital arteriovenous fistula with an aneurysm of the great cerebral vein and hydrocephalus treated surgically. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 22: 224–228

    Google Scholar 

  15. Gold AP, Ransohoff J, Carter S (1964) Vein of Galen malformation. Acta Neurol Scand [Suppl] 40: 5–31

    Google Scholar 

  16. Gomez MR, Whitten CF, Nolke A et al (1963) Aneurysmal malformations of the great vein of Galen causing heart failure in early infancy. Pediatrics 31: 400–411

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gueroult de Flamesnil F (1970) L'anévrysme arterio-veineux de la veine de Galien. Thèse, Amiens

  18. Heinz ER, Schwartz JF, Sears RA (1968) Thrombosis in the veins of Galen malformation. Br J Radiol 41: 424–428

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hernandez J, Schwartz HG, Goldring D (1965) Cerebral arteriovenous fistulas and congenital heart disease. J Pediatr 66: 722–728

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hirano A, Terry RD (1958) Aneurysm of the vein of Galen. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 17: 424–429

    Google Scholar 

  21. Hooper R (1961) Hydrocephalus and obstruction of the superior vena cava in infancy. Pediatrics 28: 792–799

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hook O, Johanson C (1958) Intracranial arteriovenous aneurysms. A follow-up study with particular attention to their growth. Arch Neurol Psychiatry 80: 39–54

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kinal ME (1962) Hydrocephalus and the dural venous sinuses. J Neurosurg 19: 195–201

    Google Scholar 

  24. Kushner J, Alexander E Jr (1970) Partial spontaneous regressive arteriovenous malformation. Case report with angiographic evidence. J Neurosurg 32: 360–366

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lagos JC, Riley HD (1971) Congenital intracranial malformations in children. Arch Dis Child 46: 285–290

    Google Scholar 

  26. Lehman JS, Chynn KY, Hagstrom JWC (1966) Heart failure in infancy due to arteriovenous malformation of the vein of Galen. AJR 98: 653–659

    Google Scholar 

  27. Litvak J, Yahr MD, Ransohoff J (1960) Aneurysms of the great vein of Galen and midline cerebral arteriovenous anomalies. J Neurosurg 17: 945–954

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lorber J (1967) Aneurysm of the great vein of Galen. Proc R Soc Med 60: 450–452

    Google Scholar 

  29. Lumsden CE (1947) A case of aneurysm of the vein of Galen. J Pathol Bact 59: 328–331

    Google Scholar 

  30. Macpherson P, Teasdale GM, Lindsay KW (1979) Computed tomography in diagnosis and management of aneurysm of the vein of Galen. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 42: 786–789

    Google Scholar 

  31. Norman MG, Becker LE (1974) Cerebral damage in neonates resulting from arteriovenous malformation of the vein of Galen. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 37: 252–258

    Google Scholar 

  32. Pampus F, Gott H, Kersting G (1969) Das Aneurysma der Vena galeni als Ursache des Hydrocephalus occlusus internus und apoplektischer Blutungen im Säuglings- und Kindesalter. Neurochirurgia (Stuttg) 3: 203–22

    Google Scholar 

  33. Petit-Dutaillis D, Guiot G, Berdet H (1953) Anevrysmes cirsoides et anevrysmes arterioveineux de l'encéphale, d'après 19 cas. Presse Med 61: 901–905

    Google Scholar 

  34. Perret G, Nishioka H (1966) An analysis of 545 cases of cranio-cerebral arteriovenous malformations and fistulas reported to the cooperative study. J Neurosurg 25: 467–490

    Google Scholar 

  35. Poppen JL, Arman N (1960) Aneurysm of the great vein of Galen. J Neurosurg 17: 238–244

    Google Scholar 

  36. Rosenberg AW (1955) A vascular malformation drained by the great vein of Galen. Bull Los Angeles Neurol Soc 20: 196–199

    Google Scholar 

  37. Rosman N, Shands KN (1978) Hydrocephalus caused by increased intracranial venous pressure: a clinicopathological study. Ann Neurol 3: 445–450

    Google Scholar 

  38. Russel DS, Nevin S (1940) Aneurysm of the great vein of Galen causing internal hydrocephalus: report of two cases. J Pathol Bact 51: 375–383

    Google Scholar 

  39. Sartor K (1978) Spontaneous closure of cerebral arteriovenous malformation demonstrated by angiography and computed tomography. Neuroradiology 15: 95–98

    Google Scholar 

  40. Stewart DR, Johnson DG, Myers GG (1975) Hydrocephalus as a complication of jugular catheterization during total parenteral nutrition. J Pediatr Surg 10: 771–777

    Google Scholar 

  41. Thomson JLG (1959) Aneurysm of the great vein of Galen. Br J Radiol 32: 640–684

    Google Scholar 

  42. Weir BKA, Allen PBR, Miller JDR (1968) Excision of thrombosed vein of Galen. Aneurysm in an infant. J Neurosurg 29: 619–622

    Google Scholar 

  43. Young LN, Wallace CT, Hood JB et al (1977) Radiological case of the month. Am J Dis Child 131: 581–582

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Diebler, C., Dulac, O., Renier, D. et al. Aneurysms of the vein of Galen in infants aged 2 to 15 months. Diagnosis and natural evolution. Neuroradiology 21, 185–197 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367340

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367340

Key words

Navigation