vein of Galen aneurysm
Findings
No curated finding names vein of Galen aneurysm yet. Everything below is reference data from Mondo, HPO and GenCC, not evidence about what affects it.
Definition
Vein of Galen aneurysm is a rare formof arteriovenous malformation in which the embryonic precursor to the vein of Galen, a vein at the base of the brain, dilates causing too much blood to rush to the heart. This can lead to rapid heart failure. Other features may include increased head circumference resulting from hydrocephalus, unusually prominent veins on the face and scalp, developmental delay, persistent headache, and other neurological findings. Vein of Galen aneurysm is often recognized on an ultrasound late in pregnancy. In other cases, it is diagnosed after birth. Although the exact cause remains unknown, this condition appears to result from a defect in early fetal development. Treatment is aimed at decreasing the blood flow through the malformation while maximizing the blood supply to the brain. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are preferred, such as endovascular embolization.
Definition from the Mondo Disease Ontology (MONDO:0015196), read 2026-09-29. CC BY 4.0.
Features
3 features
What the disease is reported to present with, and how often among people who have it — never how often a feature means the disease. HPO, annotations 2026-09-02.
- Abnormal cerebral vascular morphologyHPOHP:0100659
- Very frequent (80% to 99% of cases)
- Peripheral arteriovenous fistulaHPOHP:0100784
- Frequent (30% to 79% of cases)
- Vascular dilatationHPOHP:0002617
- Frequent (30% to 79% of cases)
Where it sits
Other names
1 name
Resolves to: vein of Galen aneurysm
- Also called
- vein of Galen arteriovenous malformations