ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION OF THE VEIN OF GALEN IN 3 NEONATES - EMPHASIS ON ASSOCIATED EARLY ISCHEMIC BRAIN-DAMAGE

Vein of Galen malformation is a rare intracranial disorder in newborns . In recent years the survival rate has improved due to improvement in endovascular treatment of this abnormality. We describe three neonate s with a vein of Galen malformation for whom treatment was not attempt ed because of associated severe cerebral damage, of antenatal origin i n two and of perinatal origin in the other. Autopsy was performed in t wo neonates. Periventricular leukomalacia was present in both cases, a ssociated in one case with cortical infarction, gliosis and atrophy. C onclusion We recommend careful evaluation of associated cerebral damag e prior to attempted treatment of the vein of Galen malformation.