Vein of galen aneurysmal malformation : endovascular management of 6 cases in a single institute

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the treatment outcome of patients with vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGM).

Methods: Clinical and angiographic data of six consecutive patients with VGM were retrospectively reviewed. VGMs were angiographically classified by Yasargil's method. Treatment outcomes were evaluated.

Results: Mean age at initial treatment was 4.4±5.7 months. Angiographic types of VGMs were type II in two patients and type III in four. Three patients had cardiac symptoms and the others were asymptomatic. Two patients were treated with transvenous embolization, three with transarterial embolization, and one was managed conservatively. Two patients died due to venous hypertension few days after transvenous approach. Of three patients who were transarterially embolized, one was completely occluded with Onyx and two were incompletely occluded. During the follow-up period (range, one to six years) two of three patients treated with transarterial approach were asymptomatic and the other showed mild symptoms. One patient who was managed conservatively showed normal performance.

Conclusion: Transarterial embolization of VGMs may be better than transvenous approach in terms of the treatment outcome and complication. Further studies are needed because of the rarity of the disease and rapid advancement of endovascular techniques.