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Spontaneous thrombosis of a vein of Galen malformation associated with acute sinusitis: a case report

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Abstract

The vein of Galen malformation is caused by an abnormal shunting between choroidal arteries and the median prosencephalic vein during embryological development, leading to increased blood flow to the deep cerebral veins, intracranial damage, and systemic repercussions. Idiopathic spontaneous thrombosis of a vein of Galen malformation is rare, and its association with acute sinusitis has not been reported in the literature. We present the case of a girl with a postnatal diagnosis of a vein of Galen malformation at the age of 16 months, with secondary pulmonary hypertension that was adequately controlled with spironolactone. At 3 years old, while expecting elective endovascular treatment, the patient developed spontaneous thrombosis of the vein of Galen malformation, concomitant to an acute sinusitis episode, with complete resolution of the vascular malformation and secondary pulmonary hypertension. The patient continued with normal neurological development over a 5-year follow-up. We discuss the main pathophysiologic mechanisms that can explain spontaneous thrombosis of VOGMs and the patient’s outcome. Awareness of different mechanisms that can lead to spontaneous thrombosis can help in the decision-making process and prompt targeted approaches to individual patients with a vein of Galen malformation.

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Abbreviations

CT:

computerized tomography

CTA:

computerized tomography angiogram

MRA:

magnetic resonance angiogram

MRI:

magnetic resonance imaging

MRV:

magnetic resonance venogram

VOGM:

vein of Galen malformation

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1 N° 18A - 12, Bogotá, Colombia

    Luis Fernando Pulido

  2. Department of Radiology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA, USA

    Diana Murcia Salazar

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, Fundación Santafé de Bogotá, Carrera 7 No. 117 – 15, Bogotá, Colombia

    Diego Gómez Amarillo & Kemel A. Ghotme

  4. Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Department, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Carrera 7 No. 117 – 15, Bogotá, Colombia

    Juan Nicolás Useche

  5. Translational Neuroscience Research Lab, Universidad de La Sabana, Autopista Norte, KM 7, Chía, Colombia, 250001

    Kemel A. Ghotme

Authors
  1. Luis Fernando Pulido
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  2. Diana Murcia Salazar
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  3. Diego Gómez Amarillo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kemel A. Ghotme.

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The patient’s legal guardians granted written informed consent for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.

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Pulido, L., Murcia Salazar, D., Gómez Amarillo, D. et al. Spontaneous thrombosis of a vein of Galen malformation associated with acute sinusitis: a case report. Childs Nerv Syst 37, 3271–3276 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-021-05072-4

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