Conditions for treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformation associated with ectasia of the vein of Galen in the newborn.

The survival rate and subsequent quality of life has improved significantly for neonates with cerebral arteriovenous malformation associated with ectasia of the vein of Galen, with recent advances in interventional neuroradiology. Transarterial endovascular occlusive techniques have emerged as the treatment of choice. However, this treatment is technically very demanding and good results are seen only in institutions with large experience in treating this rare type of congenital malformation. The conditions for granting the neonate access to this sophisticated type of treatment include appropriate clinical and neuroradiological evaluation at the highest possible level, combined with the establishment of early communication with a trained interventional neuroradiological team capable of this treatment. Not all neonates are suited to this form of treatment, but only rapid, careful and competent treatment and evaluation of the neonate can assure appropriate pre-procedural evaluation in order to give each patient, wherever born, a similar and optimized chance of survival without unnecessary sequelae.