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Great Vein of Galen

vena magna cerebri (Galeni)

The great vein of Galen (vena magna cerebri) is a short but large unpaired midline vein formed by the union of the two internal cerebral veins beneath the splenium of the corpus callosum, at the quadrigeminal plate cistern. It drains into the straight sinus at the junction with the inferior sagittal sinus. It collects deep cerebral venous drainage from the basal ganglia, thalami, and deep white matter via the internal cerebral veins and their tributaries.

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is an arteriovenous malformation of the deep cerebral vessels draining into a dilated vein of Galen precursor (the median prosencephalic vein), presenting in neonates with high-output cardiac failure from the massive arteriovenous shunt. It is the most common intracranial vascular malformation in neonates. Endovascular embolisation through the arterial feeders is the primary treatment, staged over multiple sessions. The vein of Galen is also a landmark in posterior interhemispheric and supracerebellar infratentorial neurosurgical approaches.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Vein of Galen Malformation in Neonates

Fetal or neonatal vein of Galen malformation produces massive arteriovenous shunting through fistulae into the dilated median prosencephalic vein, causing high-output cardiac failure detectable by prenatal ultrasound; staged endovascular embolisation through arterial feeders reduces shunt flow and allows cardiac function to recover.