Intracranial bruits in children

Significance of intracranial bruits in neonates, infants, and young children

In a control group an intracranial bruit (ICB) was heard in 4 of 13 children aged between 4 months and 3 years, but in none of 43 younger infants between the ages of one day and 4 months. In a group of 70 infants with cardiac murmurs of intensity grade III/VI or more, 19 of 30 aged between 4 months and 3 years had an ICB, compared with 4 of 40 younger infants aged between one day and 4 months (P less than 0.0005). It is concluded that in infants under the age of 4 months, even in the presence of a loud cardiac murmur, an ICB is rarely heard. The presence of an ICB, with or without signs of cardiac failure, strongly suggests an intracranial arteriovenous fistula.

Cerebral arteriovenous aneurysm presenting with heart failure. Report of three cases

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Cerebrovascular malformation in childhood presenting with cardiomegaly. Case report

✓ Cardiomegaly secondary to a cerebrovascular malformation is described in a 4-year-old child, including resolution of the cardiomegaly following successful removal of the malformation. The pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed, as well as the care of such patients during and immediately after surgery. All patients with large vascular malformations should have careful assessment of their cardiac status, and, conversely, the evaluation of patients with unexplained cardiomegaly or heart failure should include a search for vascular malformations.