Giant arteriovenous fistula of the vein of Galen in early infancy treated successfully with surgery. Case report.

A giant arteriovenous fistula in a newborn infant was treated by surgical occlusion of the feeding vessels at 20 days of life. Congestive heart failure responded favorably to operative treatment. Because of persistent hydrocephalus, a shunt was inserted at 2 months of age. At 9 months of age, the child remained without signs of cardiac failure. Cerebral damage was manifested by a mild left hemiparesis. Successful surgical treatment of this unusual lesion in a neonate is exceptional.

Cerebellar abscess in early infancy.

The authors report an unusual case of cerebellar abscess in a 6-week-old infant without an antecedent of sepsis or congenital heart disease. The abscess was treated successfully by percutaneous punction-aspiration and further excision. Shunting procedure was not necessary.