Intracranial venous anomalies associated with atretic cephalocoeles.

BACKGROUND: Midline scalp lesions are frequent in children. They include soft-tissue masses and atretic meningocoeles. Their recognition is important as their treatment differs. Intracranial venous anomalies are known to be associated with atretic cephalocoeles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken to assess the frequency of intracranial venous anomalies associated with atretic meningocoeles (AT). Thirty-one patients with AT were studied by MRI. There were 13 meningocoeles and 14 encephalocoeles; 4 have not yet received surgery.

RESULTS: Venous anomalies were found when the cephalocoeles lay above the torcular. They include absence of the straight sinus and duplication of the longitudinal sinus.

CONCLUSION: Venous anomalies are frequent in atretic cephalocoeles and are part of the dysraphic state.