Cerebral arteriovenous shunts in children

• Published in: Neuroimaging clinics of North America Vol. 23; no. 4; p. 757
• Main Authors: Toma, Ahmed K, Davagnanam, Indran, Ganesan, Vijeya, Brew, Stefan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Angiography, Digital Subtraction - methods; Arteriovenous Fistula - diagnostic imaging; Arteriovenous Fistula - therapy; Cerebral Revascularization - instrumentation; Cerebral Revascularization - methods; Child; Endovascular Procedures - instrumentation; Endovascular Procedures - methods; Humans; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations - diagnostic imaging; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations - therapy; Arteriovenous malformations; Children; Shunt; Vein of Galen
• ISSN: 1557-9867
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2013.05.001

Intracranial arteriovenous shunts (AVSs) in children can be divided into pial arteriovenous malformations, vein of Galen malformations, and arteriovenous fistulae (AVF). Dural AVF and dural sinus malformations are rare entities within this group. The relative immaturity of the anatomy and physiology of the neonatal and infant brain results in the inability of the hydrovenous system to compensate in the face of such disorders. Thus, the clinical presentation reflects this difference in the underlying anatomy, physiology, and disorder between children and adults. In this article, we briefly review the presentation, natural history and management of these entities.