Arteriovenous malformations of the vein of Galen: report of three microsurgically treated cases.

Three cases of arteriovenous malformations of the vein of Galen were operated on without mortality and morbidity. Postoperative angiography confirmed total occlusion of the fistulas in each case. Microsurgical operation in the parieto-occipital region with interhemispheric approach was performed to cut the numerous feeders. The procedure was terminated when the sac was diminished in size with bipolar coagulation and clipped with encircling clips to preserve the flow through the vein of Galen. In spite of the good surgical results, the long-term outcome in the two pediatric patients was discouraging because of mental retardation caused by the arteriovenous malformation itself.