Vein of Galen malformation in a neonate: A case report and review of endovascular management

Abstract

Vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is a rare congenital vascular malformation caused by the maldevelopment of its embryonic precursor, the median prosencephalic vein of Markowski. VOGM results in neonatal morbidity and mortality, and premature delivery does not improve the outcome. We report a term female neonate in whom a vein of Galen malformation was diagnosed prenatally at 37 wk of gestation during a growth ultrasound and confirmed by fetal magnetic resonance imaging. Signs of cardiac decompensation were evident in the fetus. Multiple interventional radiology embolizations of the feeding vessels were performed successfully on days 7, 10, 12, 14 and 19. A review of the literature on the endovascular management of neonates with these malformations is presented herein.

Key Words: Vein of Galen malformation, Endovascular therapy, Congenital anomaly, Neonate

Core tip: Vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is a rare vascular anomaly that may present in the fetus or newborn, and may cause congestive heart failure. Historically, the management of VOGMs was neurosurgical, but outcomes were uniformly poor. Since the introduction of endovascular interventional techniques, the likelihood of a successful treatment is much greater and a cure is potentially achievable. We report herein a term female neonate with a VOGM that was sucessfully treated with multiple endovascular embolizations, and also present a review of the literature on the endovascular management of neonates.

INTRODUCTION

Vein of Galen malformations (VOGMs) are complex arteriovenous (AV) fistulas that occur infrequently. Their incidence is about one in 3 million population[1-3], and they represent less than 1% of the cerebral AV malformation. The majority of VOGMs are diagnosed in the neonatal period, and the remainder during early childhood. VGOMs was first reported in 1895 by Steinheil (cited by Dandy[4] in 1928). The reported lesion was, in fact, an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the diencephalon connected to a dilated vein of Galen. The majority of Vein of Galen Aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) become symptomatic in the neonatal period and if left untreated have an almost 100% morbidity and mortality[5]. The first attempt to treat a VOGM was at the beginning of the last century, wherein bilateral internal carotid artery ligations were performed on an infant who had presented with intracranial hypertension[6]. At present, endovascular embolization is preferred for treating VOGMs[7,8]. The endovascular technique was developed in the early 1980s. Since then, more than 262 neonates with VOGMs have been treated using this method[7,8]. Because of the rarity of VOGMs, most publications are in the form of case reports. Our experience with a VOGM in a term infant with congestive heart failure is reported herein with a review the literature on endovascular embolization treatment in neonates.

CASE REPORT

A 42-year-old G2P1001 presented for a routine growth ultrasound at 36 wk 5 d. The fetus was found to have a vein of Galen malformation, which had not been identified during the 20-wk anatomy scan (Figure 1A). A review of her medical history was significant for a prior uncomplicated full-term vaginal delivery. Her living child is alive and well, meeting all appropriate milestones. The patient denied any significant family history for congenital anomalies or social history for toxic environmental or occupational exposures. Prenatal care was otherwise uneventful. Fetal MRI confirmed the diagnosis of VOGM, demonstrating a persistent median prosencephalic vein, which measured up to 22 mm in the transverse dimension and 74 mm in length (Figure 1B and C). There was a network of feeding vessels (greater on the right as compared to the left) in the region of the medial temporal lobe, midbrain, and thalami, which likely represented feeder vessels emanating from the posterior cerebral arteries. Torcula and bilateral transverse sinuses were also enlarged. The lateral ventricles and cortical sulci were appropriate for the patient's gestational age. The infratentorial brain appeared normal, with no mass effect or midline shift.

Figure 1 A 42-year-old G2P1001 presented for a routine growth ultrasound at 36 wk 5 d. A: Prenatal ultrasonography shows vein of Galen aneurysm and color flow examination reveals a turbulence flow in the lesion and in the connected strait sinus; B: Prenatal T1-weighted magnetic resonance images show the markedly enlarged median procencephalic vein of Markowsky, characteristic of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (arrow); C: Persistence of the falcine draining sinus (arrow).

A fetal echocardiogram showed cardiomegaly with preserved biventricular systolic function. The superior vena cava (SVC) was moderately dilated. The right atrium was severely dilated whereas the left atrium was only mildly dilated and there was an aneurysmal patent foramen ovale (PFO) with right to left shunting. The right ventricle (RV) was moderately dilated with qualitatively good RV systolic function. There was marked reversal of flow in the distal aortic arch, apparently draining predominantly to the brachiocephalic artery.

Over the next 2 d, repeat sonographic evaluation demonstrated new polyhydramnios and abnormal Doppler studies. The fetus developed an abnormal fetal heart rate tracing with areas of minimal variability and non-reactivity. At this point, because of the massive VOGM causing a steal phenomenon, evidence of heart failure, worsening doppler studies, and fetal monitoring showing fetal compromise, the decision was made to proceed with delivery and to achieve optimization of management in the neonate. An elective uncomplicated primary cesarean section was performed because of fetal cardiac failure and breech presentation. The neonate had Apgar scores of 4 at 1 min and 8 at 5 min. Cord blood gas studies showed a pH of 7.30 and base deficit of -2.2.

Physical examination revealed a weight of 2675 g (25^th centile), length 47 cm (30^th centile), head circumference 33 cm (40^th centile). No visible anomalies were noted at birth. The pertinent physical findings were cranial bruit and a grade 2/6 soft systolic heart murmur at the left sternal border.

Chest radiography immediately after birth showed cardiomegaly. An echocardiogram performed at 1 h of life showed pulmonary hypertension, patent foramen ovale, dilated superior vena cava and reversal of flow in the descending aorta. Neurosonogram showed a large midline venous structure. MRI and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography showed VGOM and the vessels feeding the aneurysm (Figures 2 and 3). The feeding arteries are from bilateral middle cerebral arteries, bilateral anterior cerebral arteries and posterior cerebral arteries.

Figure 2 Sagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance images show a choroidal type. Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation with feeders (arrow heads, A) to arteriovenous fistulas, dilated prosencephalic vein of Markowski and persistence of the falcine draining sinus (white arrow, B).

Figure 3 Magnetic resonance angiographic images show multiple enlarged arterial branches from the anterior and posterior cerebral arteries coalescing on the lateral margins of the dilated recipient vein.

Over the first few days, the infant gradually became tachypneic and had a hyperdynamic precordium. Medical treatment of cardiac failure (furosemide, digoxin, and milrinone) was begun on the second day of life. Since the patient showed signs of cardiac decompensation despite the cardiac failure therapy, embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) was performed via the umbilical artery catheter at 7 d of age. The patient was intubated and placed on a conventional ventilator at 10 d of age. Trans-femoral embolizations were performed on the 10^th, 12^th and 14^th day of life, and finally trans-axillary artery embolization was performed at 19 d of age. A repeat neurosonogram done on the 19^th day of life showed intraventricular hemorrhage and mild post hemorrhagic hydrocephalus, which however, did not require any intervention. The patient was extubated on the 20^th day of life, MRI and MR angiography performed on the following day showed that the dilatation of the Vein of Galen had decreased markedly (Figure 4). The infant was discharged at 53 d of age. When seen at 6 mo of age in the follow-up clinic, the patient was developing normally.

Figure 4 T1-weighted sagital magnetic resonance images at 41 d of age after 5 embolizations show thrombosis and shrinkage of the median vein of procencephalon and embryonic falcine sinus (arrows).

DISCUSSION

The vein of Galen is located under the cerebral hemispheres and drains the anterior and central regions of the brain into the sinuses of the posterior cerebral fossa. The median prosencephalic vein of Markowski usually regresses during the 11^th week of gestation, and by 3 mo of gestation, its posterior part joins the internal cerebral veins and basal veins to form the vein of Galen. The term “vein of Galen malformation” is a misnomer because the dilated vein seen in the location of the vein of Galen is the prosencephalic vein. An arteriovenous (AV) shunt between this vein and the arteries supplying the brain induces hemodynamic changes because of excess blood flow from these arteries into the VOGM, and the heart having to work harder[9]. Hydrocephalus is the most common finding associated with a diagnosis of VOGM[7,10,11].

VGAMs are AVFs supplied by a variety of feeder vessels that drain into the aberrantly persistent fetal median prosencephalic vein of Markowsky[10], an embryonic precursor of the vein of Galen. The development of a VGAM may be an acquired event between the 6^th and 11^th week of gestation[10]. VGAMs have been classified in various ways, based on their complexity, type of supplying arteries, location of fistula, or degree of venous ectasia (Table 1)[1,6,10]. Lasjaunias classified VGAMs into two types, namely the choroidal and mural type[10,12]. In the choroidal type, multiple fistulas communicate with the median vein of the prosencephalon via an arterial network in the choroid fissure. The feeder vessels generally come from the anterior and posterior choroidal, and anterior cerebral, and at times, also the quadrigeminal and thalamoperforating arteries. The choroidal type is the most severe form of VGAM, which frequently presents with high-output cardiac failure, macrocephaly with loud bruits, and dilated orbital veins due to multiple high-flow fistulas with less restriction of outflow[10,13]. In the mural type of VGAM, single or multiple fistulas are present in the wall of the dilated median vein of the prosencephalon, generally at its inferolateral margin. The feeder vessels arise from the quadrigeminal or posterior choroidal arteries or both, and could be either unilateral or bilateral. The mural type has less fistulas and more restriction of outflow, which leads to greater dilation of the median vein of the prosencephalon but protects the heart from high-output failure. It manifests in late infancy as macrocephaly, hydrocephalus, seizures, subarachnoid hemorrhage, developmental delay, and failure to thrive[10,11]. Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) and vein of Galen aneurysmal dilations (VGADs) are the most frequently seen arteriovenous malformations in infants and fetuses. VGAD is an enlargement of the true vein of Galen and not its embryonic precursor.

Table 1 Classification of vein of galen aneurysmal malformations.

Classification system
Litvak
Category A	Aneurysms of the great vein of Galen
Category B	Racemorse conglomeration of blood vessels in the cerebral structures
Category C	Transitional types of midline AV shunts
Lasjaunias
Type I	Choroidal type
Type II	Mural type
Yasargil
Type I	Pure AVF between leptomeningeal arteries and feeders from P3, segments of posterior cerebral arteries and vein of Galen
Type II	Feeders from the thalamo-perforating vessels and from P1 and P2 segments of the posterior cerebral arteries
Type III	Mixture of type I and II
Type IV
IV A	Aneurysmal dilation of the vein of Galen resulting from shunting from an adjacent thalamic AVM
IV B	Similar to type IV A with the AVM being mesencephalic instead of thalamic
IV C	Thalamomesencephalic or mesodiencephalic plexiform malformation along with an adjacent and separate cisternal AVF to the vein of Galen
Secondary enlargement of vein of Galen
Vein of Galen dilation	Malformations that drain pial or dural shunts into the true vein of Galen or its tributary associated with the dilation of the vein of Galen
Vein of Galen varix	Dilation of the vein of Galen in the absence of AV shunt

The mortality rates of the patients (all ages) who were embolized during the 1980s were 17%, and in the 1990s and 2000s they were 12%. The complication rates during the 1980s were 45%, and in the 1990s and 2000s they were approximately 35%[7]. Post-embolization complications included cerebral hemorrhage/hematoma (37%), cerebral ischemia (6%), macrocephaly or hydrocephalus, leg ischemia (3%), vessel perforation (3%), pulmonary embolism, and non-target embolization. Over the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, good clinical outcome rates of the patients that were embolized were 49%, 70% and 70%, respectively[7].

A systemic review (1987-2014) of endovascular embolization was performed for VOGMs that included 667 subjects[7], of which 44% were neonates at the time of treatment. In the cases with a neonatal diagnosis, the most common presenting symptoms (94%) were cardiovascular and respiratory distress due to the high-flow AV shunts of VOGMs[7,14]. Our case supports the findings. A study showed that 23%-70% of the children with VOGMs who received endovascular embolizations were neurologically normal at short-term follow-up[15,16]. A recent review of outcomes of neonatal cases published over the past 15 years revealed poor prognosis for neonates who did not receive interventional embolization for severe cardiac failure secondary to VGAM[16,17].

Transarterial embolization is the preferred route in most specialized centers. However, it best controls heart failure when there are only a small number of arterial feeders. When there are many small arterial pedicles, it often is impossible to occlude more than a few at a time in the unstable neonate. In such cases, transvenous embolization may help achieve some control of the heart failure. A combination of the transvenous and transarterial embolization (kissing microcatheter technique) is another feasible endovascular option with a differing success rate[18]. The outcome of neonates with VGAM has improved tremendously due to advances in endovascular treatment. Table 2 summarizes the clinical details and outcomes of 47 neonates who were treated with endovascular embolization since the beginning of the 21^st century[5,16-23].

Table 2 Clinical details and outcome of 47 neonatal embolizations.

Diagnosed	Gestational age (wk)	Birth weight (g)	Symptoms	Total sessions	Outcome	Ref.
Antenatal (31 wk)	N/A	N/A	CCF	Multiple	Normal	Mitchell et al[19] 2001
Postnatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	Multiple	Normal
Postnatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	1	Death (2 d)
Postnatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	Multiple	Normal
Antenatal (36 wk)	Full term	N/A	CCF	3	Death (24 d)	Frawley et al[17] 2002
Postnatal	Full term	N/A	CCF	3	Normal
Postnatal	Full term	N/A	CCF	1	Death (2 d)
Postnatal	Full term	N/A	CCF	4	Psychomotor delay
Postnatal	Full term	N/A	CCF	4	Normal
Postnatal	Full term	N/A	CCF	1	Normal
Antenatal (38 wk)	Full term	N/A	CCF	3	Normal
Antenatal (32 wk)	Full term	N/A	CCF	4	Death (39 d)
Postnatal	36	N/A	CCF	1	Death (24 h)	Jones et al[20] 2002
Postnatal	Full term	N/A	CCF	Multiple	Normal
Antenatal (28 wk)	N/A	N/A	CCF	1	Death (29 h)	Maheshwari et al[23] 2003
Postnatal	Full term	3400	CCF	1	Death (7d)	Mathew et al[21] 2013
N/A	Full term	N/A	CCF	2	Normal	McSweeney et al[22] 2010
N/A	Full term	N/A	CCF	1	Normal
N/A	Full term	N/A	CCF	1	Normal
N/A	Full term	N/A	CCF	4	Psychomotor delay
N/A	Full term	N/A	CCF	3	Psychomotor delay
N/A	Full term	N/A	CCF	5	Psychomotor delay
N/A	Full term	N/A	CCF	1	Death
N/A	Full term	N/A	CCF	1	Death
Antenatal (35 wk)	Full term	3290	CCF	1	Normal	Karadeniz et al[16] 2011
Postnatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	2	Normal	Meila et al[18] 2012
Antenatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	4	Normal
Postnatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	6	Death (2 yr)
Postnatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	2	Psychomotor delay
Postnatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	6	Psychomotor delay
Antenatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	3	Normal
Postnatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	4	Normal
Antenatal	N/A	N/A	CCF	3	Psychomotor delay
Postnatal	36	2897	CCF	5	Normal	Berenstein et al[5] 2012
Postnatal	34	1810	CCF	1	Death
Antenatal	Full term	4165	CCF	2	Normal
Antenatal	36	3409	CCF	4	Normal
Postnatal	Full term	3400	CCF	6	Normal
Postnatal	Full term	2930	CCF	6	Hemiparesis
Antenatal	Full term	2386	CCF	2	Normal
Antenatal	Full term	4204	CCF	6	Psychomotor delay
Antenatal	36	2825	CCF	3	Psychomotor delay
Antenatal (36 wk)	Full term	2675	CCF	5	Normal	The present report

Due to the natural history of disease progression, prenatal diagnosis of VGAM is often not made until the third trimester when imaging studies (including a fetal MRI) are done. Progressive fetal cardiac dysfunction implies that the high flow lesion may not respond to treatment[24]. Melting brain syndrome is the term used to describe an advanced stage of a hydrodynamic disorder where cerebral blood flow is reduced because of the venous hypertension, and the brain parenchyma (mainly white mater) is progressively destroyed. It has been associated with all types of AV fistulas (including VOGMs), and can occur in fetuses, neonates and infants[13,25,26], but it has not been observed in adults.

Fetal MRI is now the preferred modality for diagnosing fetal central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities because of its advantages over ultrasonography[2,27,28]. Prenatal MRI and MR angiography can identify the prognostic factors (cardiac failure, polyhydramnios, pericardial and pleural effusion, ascites, fetal hydrops, and brain injury) that affect prenatal counseling and aid in delineating the blood supply to the lesion for planning postnatal management[2,27-29]. Yuval et al[15], while enumerating the prognostic features for VGAMs have suggested that neonates with cardiomegaly, dilated vena cava or jugular vein, retrograde aortic flow and multiple feeder arteries may have a better prognosis if there is immediate intervention. However, others have a more gloomy view based on the factors associated with a poorer outcome[20,24,30]. Fetal MRI may play an important role by identifying additional findings that are unrelated to the primary pathology but may be important for planning the type of delivery, e.g., placenta previa, umbilical cord wrapped around the neck, and uterine fibroids. Evidence of progressive fetal cardiac dysfunction is a grave sign and may suggest that the high flow lesion may not respond to therapy[24]. Prenatal diagnosis, fetal MRI, and fetal echocardiography provide an opportunity to plan the delivery of the fetus at a tertiary care center where immediate and definitive care can be provided by a multidisciplinary team.

In summary, we report herein the case of a term neonate with a prenatally diagnosed VOGM, dilated SVC and right atrium, cardiomegaly, reversal of flow in the descending aorta, and polyhydramnios. Our case had extensive feeders arising from the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries. Additionally, we have provided a review of the literature regarding endovascular intervention during the neonatal period, and outcomes.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Meghan S Mehta for her assistance with the literature search and the editing of the manuscript. We also thank Sylvia Sutton-Thorpe, and acknowledge the help of Chrystal and Christina Puvabanditsin for supporting this effort and preparing the manuscript.

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

A 2675-g term female neonate was diagnosed prenatally as vein of Galen malformation.

Clinical diagnosis

The infant developed congestive heart failure with signs of decompensation despite medical intervention.

Imaging diagnosis

MRI and MR angiography showed vein of Galen malformation. Chest radiography showed cardiomegaly.

Treatment

Five endovascular embolizations with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) was performed via the umbilical artery, femoral artery and axillary artery.

Related reports

The development of the endovascular technique began in the early 1980s. Since then, more than 262 neonates with vein of Galen malformation have been reported using this method.

Term explanation

Endovascular treatment has transformed this previous bleak outlook of the infants with vein of Galen malformation and a cure is now potentially possible.

Experiences and lessons

This entity is rare intracranial arterivenous malformation and can be fatal in neonates. Endovascular treatment has had a significant impact in outcome.

Peer-review

The authors presented their experience in a rare case of cerebral arteriovenous malformation that cause cardiovascular instability in a newborn infant. Generally, the manuscript is well prepared and interesting.