title: Spontaneous occlusion of brainstem arteriovenous malformation following ligature of a hepatic patent ductus venosus. Case report and review of the literature.
abstract: The authors describe the clinical and radiological findings in a case of brainstem arteriovenous malformation (AVM) associated with a hepatic patent ductus venosus (PDV) in a 12-year-old child. The AVM was discovered on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed because of slight mental retardation and headache. The malformation was otherwise asymptomatic and no treatment was proposed. An abdominal ultrasonography study performed 1 year later because of hyperammonemia revealed a PDV, which was surgically ligated. One year later, MR images and angiograms showed complete resolution of the brainstem AVM. This report is the first documentation of an association between these two entities in the same patient, and the possible pathophysiological interactions between them are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, "Regina Margherita" Children's Hospital, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, Turin, Italy. paolaperetta@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peretta
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carlino
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gennari
authors.forename: Giovanbattista
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ragazzi
authors.forename: Gianni Boris
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Bradac
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stura
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cinalli
mesh_terms: D001933:Brain Stem / Q000098:blood supply*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D022124:Hyperammonemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D011172:Portography; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery