Neonate with severe heart failure related to vein of Galen malformation.
We report a full-term female neonate who presented with respiratory distress and severe heart failure soon after birth. Heart failure secondary to perinatal infection was initially suspected. Subsequent echocardiography revealed aortic runoff, which led to consideration of an intracranial vascular abnormality. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain confirmed a diagnosis of vein of Galen aneurismal malformation (VGAM). Endovascular coil embolization of the vascular anomaly was performed, resulting in improvement of heart failure. VGAM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal congestive heart failure with a structurally normal heart. Urgent endovascular embolization and aggressive medical treatment of heart failure improve prognosis in neonatal VGAM.
Chen
Meng-Yu
MY
Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and Medical College, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Liu
Hon-Man
HM
Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital and Medical College, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Weng
Wen-Chin
WC
Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and Medical College, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Peng
Shinn-Forng
SF
Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital and Medical College, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wu
En-Ting
ET
Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and Medical College, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chiu
Shuenn-Nan
SN
Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital and Medical College, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: michael@ntuh.gov.tw.
D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D054080:Vein of Galen Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy