vein of galen?

Question

anyone heard of a condition called vein of galen? my nephew was born with it

Answer 1

This is a very rare condition affecting the blood vessels of the brain. The abnormality occurs during embryonic development and results in abnormal communications between the arteries and the veins in the blood vessels of the developing brain. The capillaries which normally connect arteries to veins and function to slow blood flow allowing for the drop off of oxygen and nutrients to the brain are missing. Since vein of Galen malformations lack capillaries, blood flow can be fast and this in turn increases the work of the heart. Blood drainage is towards a single deep draining vein, which becomes markedly enlarged (vein of Galen aneurysm). The result can be heart failure. The high flow of blood can also interfere with the normal blood drainage of the brain potentially causing hydrocephalus or 'water on the brain'.This rare malformation develops in utero. These patients may be new-borns with congestive heart failure due to arterial-venous shunting of blood in the brain.

Answer 2

it is a malformation of the circulation in the brain.