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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
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State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Giant dural venous sinus ectasia in neonates
Benoit Jenny1, Michel Zerah, Dale Swift
1University Hospital Geneva, Switzerland.
Journal of Neurosurgery. Pediatrics
|May 4, 2010
Summary
Posterior giant dural venous sinus ectasia in neonates can spontaneously thrombose and regress, leading to favorable outcomes in some cases. This condition, diagnosed antenatally, may not require surgical intervention beyond supportive care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Radiology
Background:
- Posterior giant dural venous sinus ectasia is a rare condition diagnosed antenatally.
- This report details four recent cases in neonates across three institutions.
Observation:
- Diagnosis was confirmed using antenatal ultrasonography, prenatal MR imaging, and postnatal MR angiography.
- Affected neonates presented with cardiac insufficiency and signs of increased intracranial pressure post-birth.
- Surgical interventions for increased intracranial pressure provided no significant benefit.
Findings:
- No obvious arteriovenous malformations were detected, though secondary arteriovenous fistulas are hypothesized.
- Spontaneous, progressive thrombosis and regression of the venous sinus ectasia were observed in all cases.
- Histopathology revealed stratified thrombi of varying ages within the dura mater.
Implications:
- Progressive thrombosis appears to be the natural evolution of this condition.
- Favorable clinical outcomes were observed in some cases without specific surgical treatment, highlighting the role of supportive care.
- Understanding the natural history of venous sinus ectasia is crucial for appropriate management strategies.
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