SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH DANDY-WALKER MALFORMATION

An uncommon but well-recognized occurrence in patients with Dandy-Walk er malformation is sudden unexpected death. The mechanism of demise ha s not been established. We report three patients with Dandy-Walker mal formation that experienced sudden unexpected death without uncal or to nsillar herniation, the mechanism usually proposed for demise in such situations. Our findings suggest the possibility of vascular compromis e as the cause of the sudden unexpected death in these patients. Early and effective relief of the pressure in the posterior fossa may preve nt the occurrence of this catastrophic complication.