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Vein of Galen Malformation in a 3-day-old Neonate: A Case Report
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B Pourmohammadi1   , N Armide2 , Gh Bayani2 , M Babaei3 |
1- Student research committee, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
2- Department of Pediatrics, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
3- Department of Pediatrics, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran , babaee1359@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (918 Views) |
Background & aim: Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a vascular anomaly that develops during the fetal period, specifically between 6–11 weeks of pregnancy. It can be diagnosed prenatally through ultrasound and MRI, and postnatally using MRI and CT imaging. This malformation may present with neurological symptoms and typically has a poor prognosis without treatment. The aim of the present study was to report a case of VGAM diagnosed after birth with good prognosis.
Case report: A 3-day-old male infant with jaundice and respiratory distress was delivered by natural vaginal delivery (NVD) at GA=37w (gestational age), Apgar score 9-10, and birth weight 3060 grams. On examination, he had caput succedaneum (temporary swelling in the soft parts of the newborn's head), increased head circumference, UDT (undescended testicles), nasal tip hemangioma, and II/VI heart murmur. The patient's mother moreover mentioned a history of chronic hypertension. Due to the increased head circumference, he underwent brain imaging (first a CT scan, then MRI and MR venography), which revealed a 20x30 mm aneurysm in the vein of Galen. The patient's echocardiography showed a patent ductus arteriosus closing (PDA), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and a dilated right ventricle. The patient went undergone staged embolizations, a minimally invasive endovascular procedure, for about 20 months since the initial diagnosis; he was then renally, hepatically, and cardiacly healthy. The patient's language and social-personal development are normal, with mild motor developmental delay. On the growth chart, he is in the 5th percentile, although he has been on an upward trajectory.
Conclusion: Failure to diagnose and treat VGAM may result in a poor prognosis or death. Therefore, brain aneurysmal malformation should be considered in infants with macrocephaly and cardiomegaly. In this report, early and timely diagnosis followed by appropriate treatment allowed the child to lead a near-normal life, supported by therapy and regular follow-up.
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| Keywords: Vein of Galen Malformation (VGAM), Apgar, Brain Aneurysm, Neonate. |
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Full-Text [PDF 461 kb]
(98 Downloads)
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Type of Study: case report |
Subject:
Clinical
Received: 2025/01/24 | Accepted: 2025/07/9 | Published: 2025/07/16
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| References |
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