CT Angiography in a Newborn Child with Hydranencephaly

Diagnosis and Management of Vein of Galen Aneurysmal Malformations

“…The newly introduced technique of CT angiography has, however, an enormous potential for the evaluation of cerebrovascular diseases affecting newborn babies and infants. 12,13 CT angiography consists of a spiral acquisition of the region of interest after intravenous administration of a bolus dose of iodinated contrast agent. A computer workstation then generates various two-and threedimensional representations of the acquired data, showing in particular the vascular bed and its osseous surroundings.…”

Vein of Galen malformation

“…Advances in CT angiography and multidetector technology have allowed for greater resolution of the vascular bed. 1,24 Although not as precise as angiography, CT angiography is a noninvasive technique that offers more detailed vascular information than that of ultrasound or MR imaging and can be performed in awake or slightly sedated patients. 13 In addition, multislice spiral CT angiography has been found to be very useful for detailed mapping of both arteries and veins, with the use of a single scan and a single dose of contrast medium.…”

Hydranencephaly in a case of suspected infanticide

“…2 The aetiology of this malformation is unknown, and in some cases it is a complication of infections contracted by the mother during pregnancy, especially toxoplasma or cytomegalovirus, while according to other authors, it is due to an abnormal development of the fetal arteries (particularly carotid arteries) spraying the brain. [5][6][7][8][9][10] It is still debated when this malformation occurs, although it is generally accepted from the 12th to 26th gestational week, because any later than this and there would be multicystic encephalomalacia instead of hydranencephaly. [11][12][13][14][15] The elements now reported suggest that the fetus was suffering from hydranencephaly, that a preterm birth occurred, and that, once extracted from the womb, the fetus did not breathe independently.…”

“…The aetiology of this malformation is unknown, and in some cases it is a complication of infections contracted by the mother during pregnancy, especially toxoplasma or cytomegalovirus, while according to other authors, it is due to an abnormal development of the fetal arteries (particularly carotid arteries) spraying the brain. 5–10…”