Neuroradiological and pathological studies on neonatal aneurysmal dilation of the vein of Galen.

Neuroradiologic and neuropathologic findings on neonatal aneurysmal dilation of the vein of Galen are reported. Doppler echocardiography revealed a diastolic reversed Doppler signal, which suggested the presence of a cerebral arteriovenous fistula. Cerebral ultrasonography with intravenous injection of contrast medium was useful in the diagnosis. Digital subtraction cerebral angiography clearly demonstrated both the feeding and draining vessels and the aneurysmal dilation of the vein of Galen, although it failed to detect the abnormal vascular channels. Pathologic and histopathologic findings demonstrated intimal thickening of the abnormal vascular channels, which could produce higher vascular resistance and result in the detection failure with digital subtraction angiography.