SONOWORLD : Intracranial arteriovenous malformation with cardiomegaly

Username

Password

173,369 Registered Members as of 04/20/2019.

JavaScript must be enabled in order for you to use Sonoworld.com in standard view. However, it seems JavaScript is either disabled or not supported by your browser. To use standard view, enable JavaScript by changing your browser options, then try again.

Obstetrics » Obstetrics 2nd And 3rd Trimester

Intracranial arteriovenous malformation with cardiomegaly

« Back to Listing

Author(s) :

Chaitali Shah, FRCR

Oksana H. Baltarowich, MD

Presentation This is a routine asymptomatic third trimester ultrasound.

Caption: Scan of the fetal head

Description: A midline cystic mass is noted in the fetal head. There is no associated hydrocephalus or any other anomaly.

Caption: Color Doppler of the concerned area

Description: The cystic mass completely fills with color, indicating its vascular origin.

Caption: Four chamber view of the heart

Description: Ventricular hypertrophy is noted.

Differential Diagnosis The differential of cystic mass in the fetal head is: 1. Vein of Galen aneurysm 2. Arachnoid cyst 3. Agenesis of the corpus callosum [interhemispheric cyst] 4. Dorsal sac associated with holoprosencephaly 5. Arterio-venous malformation

Final Diagnosis Fetal intracranial arterio-venous malformation with associated cardiomegaly

Discussion On ultrasound, fetal intracranial arteriovenous malformation is seen as

A midline cystic [often tubular] structure posterior to the third ventricle and thalamus

Turbulent arterial and venous flow is observed on Doppler, depending on the area that is sampled.

Dilated blood vessels are seen in the vicinity.

The pathology is usually apparent after 30 weeks of gestation

Complications include:
1. Congestive heart failure [evidenced by cardiomegaly, hydrops and polyhydramnios]
2. Hydrocephalus and CNS ischemia
3.Coarctation of the aorta
4.Transposition of the great vessels.