Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations
Other namesVein 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]

  1. ^ a b O'Brien M; Schechter M (September 1970). "Arteriovenous malformations involving the Galenic system" (PDF). The American Journal of Roentgenology, Radium Therapy, and Nuclear Medicine. 110 (1): 50–55. doi:10.2214/ajr.110.1.50. ISSN 0002-9580. PMID 5459527. Retrieved October 25, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ K.M. Auyeung, S. Laughlin, K.G. TerBrugge (October 2004). "Prenatal Diagnosis of Unusual Fetal Pial Arteriovenous Malformation". Interv Neuroradiol. 9 (2): 163–8. doi:10.1177/159101990300900205. PMC 3547507. PMID 20591266.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ a b c Takashima S; Becker LE (May 1980). "Neuropathology of cerebral arteriovenous malformations in children". Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. 43 (5): 380–385. doi:10.1136/jnnp.43.5.380. ISSN 0022-3050. PMC 490562. PMID 7420086.
  4. ^ Nicholson AA; Hourihan MD; Hayward C (December 1989). "Arteriovenous malformations involving the vein of Galen". Archives of Disease in Childhood. 64 (12): 1653–1655. doi:10.1136/adc.64.12.1653. ISSN 0003-9888. PMC 1792909. PMID 2696431.
  5. ^ McElhinney DB; Halbach VV; Silverman NH; Dowd CF; Hanley FL (June 1998). "Congenital cardiac anomalies with vein of Galen malformations in infants". Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition. 78 (6): 548–551. doi:10.1136/adc.78.6.548. ISSN 1359-2998. PMC 1717608. PMID 9713012.