Vein of Galen Malformation

The Vein of Galen Malformation is where the blood is going from the artery right into the vein. This vein of galen is big and deep in the back of the brain. Without the blood going through the capillaries it is not slowing down at all like it is supposed to. Also it is not exchanging the oxygen with all the tissue that is around. With this blood going so fast right to the heart, it is leading to congestive heart failure.

This is seen in babies. Some are seen during an ultrasound but many are not known until after birth. They are noticed soon after birth due to rapid heart failure. Another problem is the infants are experiencing hydrocephalus. The treatment for this is embolization. They go in through the back of the brain and through the arteries. Then either coils, particles, or a glue in injected to stop the blood flow in the malformation. This usually does not work completely after the first time. After it has been done enough to cut the blood flow off then the kid will most likely lead a normal life.

My information was found on:

http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2162/mainpageS2162P16.html

Pictures found on the following:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://alwaysfamily.com/kiera/vein_of_galen_pre_small.jpg&imgrefurl=http://alwaysfamily.com/kiera/Vein%2520of%2520Galen%2520Malformations.htm&h=138&w=150&sz=10&hl=en&start=9&um=1&tbnid=M930xCqqOePVUM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvein%2Bof%2Bgalen%2B%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.neurosurgery.ufl.edu/Images/DPArt9.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.neurosurgery.ufl.edu/Patients/galen.shtml&h=248&w=275&sz=41&hl=en&start=27&um=1&tbnid=l2kMO2G6NYfObM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvein%2Bof%2Bgalen%2B%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN