What are vein of Galen malformations?

Also known as: vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations, VOGM

The vein of Galen is a large vessel in the brain that drains the front and central parts of the brain. During early fetal development (6-11 weeks) the barrier between the very small arteries and the veins that normally slows the blood flow down, are missing, causing the blood to flow faster between artery and vein (arteriovenous malformation). This can result in the vein of Galen bulging (aneurysm). As the heart tries to keep up with the increased blood flow, it may fail (heart failure).

The malformation can bleed into the brain, grow larger and/or cause other brain problems.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM