Spontaneous thrombosis of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation after ventriculoperitoneal shunting

• Published in: Journal of clinical neuroscience 2004-05, Vol.11 (4), p.439-442
• Main Authors: Kuzeyli, Kayhan, Çakir, Ertuğrul, Karaarslan, Gökalp, Ahmetoğlu, Ali, Peksoylu, Bekircan, Yazar, Uğur, Baykal, Süleyman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aneurysm of the vein of Galen; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations - etiology; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations - pathology; Cerebral Angiography - methods; Cerebral Veins - abnormalities; Cerebral Veins - pathology; Cerebral Ventriculography - adverse effects; Humans; Infant; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Remission, Spontaneous; spontaneous thrombosis; Venous Thrombosis - complications; Venous Thrombosis - etiology; Venous Thrombosis - pathology
• ISSN: 0967-5868; 1532-2653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2003.03.008

Aneurysmal dilatation of the vein of Galen (AVG) is a common finding in vascular malformations that involve the Galenic system and spontaneous thrombosis is very rare. Although the presentation of the cases may differ with the age, the mortality and morbidity is high in all age groups. Here, we present a case of AVG in a six-month-old boy. The patient underwent insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Surveillance of the lesion with subsequent MRI revealed spontaneous thrombosis of the AVG with excellent clinical outcome. Proposed mechanisms of spontaneous thrombosis include slow flow shunts, obstruction of the venous outflow or obstruction of the feeding artery. The case is discussed with the relevant literature.