Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations | |
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Other names | Vein of Galen aneurysmal dilations |
Axial image from computerized tomography angiogram showing arteriovenous communication in vein of Galen malformation |
Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) and Vein of Galen aneurysmal dilations (VGADs) are the most frequent arteriovenous malformations in infants and fetuses.[1][2] A VGAM consists of a tangled mass of dilated vessels supplied by an enlarged artery.[3] The malformation increases greatly in size with age, although the mechanism of the increase is unknown.[3] Dilation of the great cerebral vein of Galen is a secondary result of the force of arterial blood either directly from an artery via an arteriovenous fistula or by way of a tributary vein that receives the blood directly from an artery.[1][3] There is usually a venous anomaly downstream from the draining vein that, together with the high blood flow into the great cerebral vein of Galen causes its dilation.[4] The right sided cardiac chambers and pulmonary arteries also develop mild to severe dilation.[5]
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