Related Experiment Videos
[Benign pulsatile cranial bruit in children. Apropos of 6 cases]
P Pruvost1, P Lasjaunias, G Rodesch
1Unité de Radiologie Vasculaire Diagnostique et Thérapeutique, Hôpital de Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.
Insights
An intracranial bruit and visible facial veins in young children may indicate an intracranial vascular malformation (IVM). Early detection via enhanced CT scanning and angiography is crucial for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Vascular Imaging
- Medical Diagnostics
Context:
- Intracranial bruits and prominent naso-orbital veins are transient findings in young children.
- These signs can be associated with underlying intracranial vascular malformations (IVMs).
- The diagnostic approach for suspected IVMs requires careful consideration of clinical presentation.
Purpose:
- To describe a series of pediatric patients presenting with a specific combination of clinical signs.
- To highlight the potential association between intracranial bruits, visible facial veins, and intracranial vascular malformations.
- To recommend appropriate diagnostic imaging modalities for this clinical scenario.
Summary:
- The study details 6 pediatric patients (8-25 months) with intracranial bruits and visible naso-orbital veins, without pre-existing vascular pathology.
- Intracranial bruits and facial venous prominence are common in early childhood but typically resolve with age.
- The co-occurrence of these signs suggests a possible intracranial vascular malformation (IVM).
Impact:
- Suggests enhanced CT scanning as a primary diagnostic tool when both symptoms are present.
- Recommends selective angiography for further evaluation if CT scans reveal abnormalities.
- Emphasizes the importance of recognizing these clinical signs for timely diagnosis and management of pediatric vascular anomalies.
Abstract:
The authors report a series of 6 patients aged 8-25 months, without any intracranial vascular pathology, presenting with an objective intracranial bruit associated with visible veins in the naso-orbital region. These bruits, frequent in children between 4 months and 5 years, become rare when patients grow older and disappear in adulthood. Naso-orbital veins are frequently normally detected until the age of 3 years. An intracranial bruit and visible facial veins may be clinical signs indicative of an underlying intracranial vascular malformation (IVM). Enhanced CT scanning should be performed when these two symptoms are associated. If the scan is abnormal, a selective angiography should be performed.