Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation diagnosed prenatally: A case report

Abstract

The vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation is a rare congenital malformation of the cerebral blood vessels. It is a result of the persistence of an embryonic vessel that drains multiple arteriovenous shunts. This malformation can cause a multitude of symptoms ranging from cardiac failure to headaches depending on the age of presentation. In the fetus, cardiac manifestations are rare and are linked to a very poor prognosis. That’s why prenatal diagnosis is crucial in early detection and management. We present a case of a vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation, diagnosed prenatally with ultrasonography. The newborn developed widely a high-output cardiac failure. Prenatal diagnosis facilitates the early detection of this malformation as well as predicting the prognosis.