Vein of Galen Malformation (VOGM)

Vein of Galen malformations are a type of arteriovenous malformation. They form in the developing fetus when an artery in the brain connects directly with a vein instead of capillaries, which are missing. Without these capillaries, blood flows too quickly back to the heart, and oxygen is not distributed well in the brain or other organs. This malformation, which doctors sometimes call a fistula, can cause complications, including: 

• Brain injury and neurodevelopmental delay
• Heart failure or other organ failure
• Hydrocephalus
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)

Vein of Galen malformations are often detected during a routine prenatal ultrasound. In these cases, we work closely with your obstetrician and perinatologists to coordinate delivery at Duke Birthing Center so that our team is ready to act as soon as your baby is born.

Sometimes, a vein of Galen malformation is detected during a standard newborn heart screening or even months after birth. 

After your child is born, their doctor may recommend an MRI or another imaging scan to capture detailed images of their brain. Doctors may also use one or more scoring tools to categorize how severe your child’s malformation is. 

Team Approach to Care
Because vein of Galen malformations can affect so many different body systems, your child’s care team will include neonatologists, pediatricians, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric neurologists and neurosurgeons, endovascular neurosurgeons, neuroanesthesiologists, radiologists, intensivists (doctors who specialize in providing care to critically ill people), and others. We combine our expertise to ensure your child achieves the best possible outcome.

Highly Skilled Endovascular Neurosurgeons
Endovascular embolization is an extremely complex procedure, partly because of how small infant blood vessels are. It’s important to seek care at a center like Duke, where our endovascular neurosurgeons have the skill and experience to successfully treat vein of Galen malformations with low complication rates.

Advanced Facilities, Trained Providers
Our catheterization labs, pediatric intensive care units, birthing center, and other facilities are equipped with the latest technology and staffed with personnel who routinely care for babies with complex medical conditions like vein of Galen malformations.