Early prenatal diagnosis of an ominous aneurysm of the vein of Galen by color Doppler ultrasound.

A case of an aneurysm of the vein of Galen detected by color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) at 25 weeks of pregnancy is presented. The initial finding was a small defect of the posterior cerebral vein. Sonographic follow-up demonstrated an enlargement of the cerebral lesion as well as severe hemodynamic consequences. Fetal demise finally occurred at 28 weeks. Necropsy findings confirmed the diagnosis. This is the first report describing the value of CDU in the early diagnosis of such aneurysms.